Three police officers withdrawn after allegedly beating national cricketer Naeem

Three police officers, including a sub-inspector (SI), have been withdrawn from Khulshi Police Station and attached to the police lines following the alleged assault and harassment of national cricket team spinner Naeem Hasan. A case has been filed in connection with the incident, which occurred Friday night in the city's Lalkhan Bazar area.

According to police sources, SI Monirul Islam, who was on leave in Dhaka, tipped off SI Shafiqul Islam about suspected gold smuggling inside a CNG-powered autorickshaw, claiming the information came from an intelligence agency. Acting on the tip, SI Shafiqul conducted a raid in Lalkhan Bazar.

Naeem, who arrived in Chattogram on a delayed flight after playing a Premier League match in Dhaka, was heading home from Shah Amanat International Airport. After his autorickshaw exited the expressway, police intercepted the vehicle.

"As soon as the autorickshaw stopped, men posing as Detective Branch (DB) police took the driver's documents. They then tried to drag me out, shoved me by the neck, and attempted to push me into a police car," Naeem said."Even after I identified myself as a national cricketer and showed my ID card, SI Shafiqul Islam began hitting me on the waist with a stick. A police informant in plain clothes, named Sohel, also beat me with a pipe."

Naeem added that a crowd of nearly 200 people gathered and confirmed his identity, but the officers refused to stop. He was later taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he alleged further harassment by the Officer-in-Charge (OC), who reportedly ordered him to "lower his eyes" while speaking.

The situation shifted after Naeem managed to contact Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal, who intervened alongside BCB member Israfil Khasru by contacting senior police officials.

"I want a fair investigation and justice," Naeem said. "Today, it happened to me, and people stepped up. But common citizens won’t have that backing. This harassment must stop."

Khulshi Police Station OC Ariful Islam stated that SI Shafiqul had conducted the raid without his prior knowledge.

"We only learned his identity after he was brought to the station. We expressed regret and requested him to leave respectfully, but he insisted on immediate action against the officers," the OC said, confirming that SI Shafiqul and two constables were immediately withdrawn.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (North Division) Deputy Commissioner Amirul Islam stated that authorities are verifying the smuggling tip and investigating whether official protocols were breached.

"There are strict rules for conducting raids. Primary assessments suggest procedural lapses occurred, and those involved will face departmental action," the DC said.

The incident has triggered widespread outrage on social media. BCB Director Sirajuddin Mohammad Alamgir strongly condemned the assault and demanded exemplary punishment for the errant officers.