Khagrachhari policeman withdrawn after 'assaulting' man over free internet demand

A police officer has been removed from duty following allegations that he assaulted a local businessman for refusing to provide a free WiFi connection in Khagrachhari's Dighinala Upazila.

Sub-Inspector (SI) Nazmul Hasan of the Merung Police Outpost was attached to the Khagrachhari police lines on Wednesday, according to Dighinala Police Station chief Md Zakaria.

The allegations centre on an incident on Tuesday afternoon, when Ismail Hossain, a 27-year-old internet service provider in Merung Bazar, was reportedly summoned to the outpost and beaten.

As word of the incident spread, agitated locals gathered outside the outpost before police intervened to bring the situation under control.

Ismail told reporters the officer had earlier demanded a free internet connection and threatened to cut his lines if he refused.

"I told him I would speak with the high-ups before making a decision and then left the outpost.

"This afternoon, a policeman saw me in front of the outpost and took me inside. They accused me of stealing the motorcycle I was using. Then SI Nazmul came down from the second floor and beat me severely. Both my hands were badly injured.”

Nazmul denied assaulting Ismail.

However, Dighinala station chief Zakaria said Nazmul had admitted wrongdoing and “apoligised” for his actions.

"SI Nazmul was brought to the police station immediately after the incident. He was withdrawn in the morning and will be facing departmental action."