Khulshi OC withdrawn amid uproar over assault on cricketer Nayeem
BCB chief Tamim condemned the incident as "completely unacceptable," noting that the cricket board had issued an official statement of strong protest and would take all necessary follow-up actions to support the cricketer
In the wake of criticism over the alleged physical assault and harassment of national cricket team spinner Nayeem Hasan, the officer-in-charge (OC) of Chattogram's Khulshi Police Station, Mohammad Arif, has been withdrawn and attached to the CMP police lines.
Concurrently, Bakalia Police Station OC Md Solaiman has been appointed as the new chief of Khulshi Police Station, Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Assistant Commissioner (Public Relations) Aminur Rashid confirmed early today (14 June).
He told the media that the decision was implemented following direct instructions from the CMP commissioner.
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When asked if the administrative action was a direct consequence of the harassment of the national cricketer, the CMP spokesperson stated, "The commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure appropriate measures."
He added that the transfer should be viewed as "routine work" rather than a decision prompted by a single specific incident, as authorities considered the overall situation before making the change.
The administrative shake-up follows a series of events that began on Friday at midnight (12 June) when Nayeem was intercepted in the Chattogram's Lalkhan Bazar area while returning home in a CNG-run autorickshaw from the airport.
Nayeem, who had just landed in Chattogram after playing in Premier League matches, alleged that several individuals blocked his path, forced him into a vehicle, and took him to Khulshi Police Station as a smuggling suspect.
According to Nayeem and his family, police subjected him to physical assault and harassment despite his repeated attempts to identify himself as a national cricketer.
Eyewitnesses corroborated that the police personnel treated him as a suspect from the outset.
Detailing the ordeal during a press briefing at his Chandgaon residence yesterday afternoon, Nayeem levelled specific allegations against the Khulshi OC.
"Even after I introduced myself, the OC told me to 'keep your eyes down while talking.' Later, a phone call came to his mobile, and his behaviour completely changed. It was one way at first, and entirely different afterwards," Nayeem said.
Nayeem added that after being allowed to use a phone at the police station, he immediately informed Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal, who subsequently spoke with the Khulshi OC.
Expressing his deep disappointment, Nayeem remarked, "If such an incident can happen to me, then I feel bad thinking about what might happen in the case of ordinary people."
Following Nayeem's call, the BCB high-ups intervened.
In a post on Facebook, BCB chief Tamim condemned the incident as "completely unacceptable," noting that the board had issued an official statement of strong protest and would take all necessary follow-up actions to support the cricketer.
The initial explanation provided by the now-withdrawn Khulshi OC Ariful Islam indicated that a sub-inspector had detained Nayeem based on smuggling-related intelligence received through the station's second officer.
Ariful claimed he was not informed of the operation in advance and released Nayeem immediately after recognising his identity.
He said a subsequent search of the cricketer's bag yielded no illegal items.
However, a preliminary institutional inquiry by police authorities revealed evidence of lapses in duty and procedural mistakes.
CMP Deputy Commissioner (North Division) Amirul Islam reiterated a stance of zero tolerance, stating that there is no scope for physical assault during police operations and that justice would be served even if the accused are police members.
As immediate punitive measures, Khulshi Police Station SI Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and Constable Md Rasel Chowdhury were suspended yesterday afternoon on charges of unprofessional behaviour, with departmental cases currently underway against them.
Furthermore, police detained an individual who identified himself as a Detective Branch (DB) officer during the alleged assault.
Meanwhile, a case was filed early that morning at Khulshi Police Station by Nayeem's elder brother, Kamrul Alam Sabbir.
Sabbir noted that Nayeem has been left "emotionally devastated" by the violence.
Following a press conference by Nayeem's family demanding justice, CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali assured that a high-level probe committee has been formed to fully investigate the operation, verify the credibility of the underlying intelligence, and bring all responsible individuals to account.
