Two policemen suspended for assaulting cricketer Nayeem

Two policemen have been suspended and an informant detained over the assault and harassment of national cricket team player Nayeem Hasan in the port city on Friday night.
The suspended policemen are Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and Constable Md Russel Chowdhury of Khulshi Police Station, while the detained police informant is Sohel.
On Friday night, off-spinner Nayeem returned to Chattogram by air after playing a Dhaka Premier League match in Savar.
On his way to his Chandgaon residence from Shah Amanat International Airport, a police team intercepted his CNG-run auto-rickshaw under the Lalkhan Bazar flyover around 11:25pm.
“I identified myself and showed my ID card, yet they continued calling me an ‘accused’ and told me not to speak,” said cricketer Nayeem.
“The officers grabbed me by the throat when I attempted to speak,” he said, adding that they continued to misbehave despite bystanders protesting after recognising him.
Nayeem alleged that he was taken to Khulshi Police Station and subjected to further mistreatment there.
His father, Mahbubul Alam, a former councillor of Chattogram City Corporation and BNP leader, rushed to the police station after being informed of the incident.
He alleged that the duty officer initially denied him entry and asked him to wait at a distance. 
“After receiving phone calls from Bangladesh Cricket Board President Tamim Iqbal and member Israfil Khasru from Dhaka, the police softened their stance and admitted their mistake,” Nayeem’s father said.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Islam said police went to the scene following information about suspected smuggling activities.
However, he said it initially appeared that proper procedures had not been followed during the operation.
Meanwhile, CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali visited the cricketer’s residence on Saturday afternoon and expressed regret, apologising over the incident.
Speaking to reporters there, he said the strictest action would be taken against the accused police members as per rules.
“The accused policemen have already been suspended and the informant Sohel has been detained. A departmental case is also under process, and a three-member probe body has been formed to investigate the incident,” he said.
Admitting the unprofessional conduct of the officers, the commissioner added, “The police department will not take responsibility for anyone’s personal offence. The person responsible will have to take responsibility.”
Meanwhile, Nayeem’s brother, Sabbir Alam, lodged a complaint with the police station accusing the trio of assault and attempted abduction.