Police Probe: Punitive Action in Public Beating

In Khagrachhari’s Dighinala, sub-inspector Nazmul Hasan has been placed under closed (suspended) status following an incident in which local cable operator Ismail Hossain, 27, was assaulted over a dispute regarding free internet access. On Wednesday morning, August 20, he was transferred to the Khagrachhari Police Lines, officials confirmed.

Confirming the matter, Dighinala Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mo. Zakaria said, “Immediately after the incident, the accused police sub-inspector was brought to the station. On Wednesday morning, he was attached to Khagrachhari Police Lines. Disciplinary action is being taken against him.”

According to sources, on Tuesday afternoon, August 19, at Merung Police Outpost in the upazila, the sub-inspector and the outpost in-charge allegedly assaulted Ismail Hossain. Following the incident, a crowd of locals gathered in protest outside the outpost. OC Mo. Zakaria arrived on the scene to control the situation.

The victim, Ismail Hossain, stated, “Three days ago, the outpost in-charge demanded free internet service from me. When I refused, he threatened to cut my line. I told them I would consult my superiors and then give a decision, and left the outpost. Later that afternoon, a police member took me inside the outpost, falsely accusing me of stealing my own bike. Then Sub-Inspector Nazmul Hasan came down from the second floor and started assaulting me. Both my hands were severely injured.”

While initially denying the assault to local journalists, Nazmul Hasan admitted his wrongdoing and expressed regret over the incident to the OC at Dighinala Police Station following his suspension.