Bangladesh cricketer Nayeem Hasan was reportedly attacked by police in Chattogram on June 12 while heading home from Dhaka, where he had just played in a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match. The incident occurred near Lalkhan Bazar, where police halted the autorickshaw he was in.
Nayeem mentioned that the officers seemed aggressive from the start, and he didn’t know why. He claimed the police grabbed him by the neck and tried to force him into another autorickshaw to take him to a police station.
Bystanders noticed the situation and informed the police that Nayeem was a national cricketer. Nevertheless, the police reportedly continued their actions without changing their approach.
“I kept telling them who I was, but they wouldn’t listen. The police hit me with sticks and plastic pipes. Later, when I identified myself at the police station, the officer told me to keep my head down while speaking. If they were real police, why didn’t they put me in a police vehicle? I want a fair investigation and justice,” Nayeem told ESPNcricinfo.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Amirul Islam mentioned that they would investigate the matter and take action against those responsible. After spending several hours in custody, Nayeem was released early on June 13 and returned home.
“It seems the officers didn’t follow proper procedures. We will ensure Nayeem gets justice, and those responsible will be punished,” Amirul said to The Daily Sun.
“What happened to Nayeem is completely unacceptable. I call for a fair investigation. I’m hurt and ashamed of how Nayeem was treated. As a Bangladeshi citizen, I stand with him,” said Mushfiqur Rahim on social media.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) released a statement on June 13 expressing serious concern about the incident and underscoring the need for a comprehensive investigation. The Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh (CWAB) also condemned the alleged mistreatment of the national player and demanded strict action against those involved.
“The BCB expects a thorough and impartial investigation into the incident and urges the relevant authorities to take appropriate action against those found responsible,” said the BCB in their statement.