Ex-Narayanganj mayor Ivy sent to jail in murder case after overnight standoff, police convoy attack

A Narayanganj court today (9 May) sent Selina Hayat Ivy, former city mayor and senior vice-president of the district Awami League, to jail in connection with a murder during the July uprising, after an overnight standoff and an attack on the police convoy during her arrest.

Narayanganj Senior Judicial Magistrate Mainuddin Kader passed the order following a hearing on the matter.

According to the court police inspector Md Kaiyum Khan, Ivy was brought before the court in connection with the murder of garment worker Minarul Islam during the July uprising in Siddhirganj, and the judge ordered her to be sent to jail. She was later taken to Kashimpur Women's Central Jail in Gazipur. The next hearing is set for 26 May.

Yesterday, around 11:30pm, a police team arrived at Ivy's home in the Deobhog area of the city to arrest her. The operation involved at least 50 officers, including Narayanganj Sadar police station Officer-in-Charge Nasir Uddin and Narayanganj (Circle A) Additional Superintendent of Police Hasanuzzaman. 

Around 30 police officers entered the house while Ivy's supporters gathered outside to block her arrest, police said.

To prevent the arrest, her supporters and Awami League activists blocked four roads leading to her house with bamboo poles, pushcarts, vans, and sand piles. Loudspeaker announcements from nearby mosques urged people to gather at her house.

During the standoff, Narayanganj police's Additional SP (Crime and Operations) Tarek Al Mehedi announced through a hand mike, "There are cases against Ivy and we have come to take her. It will not be fruitful if you [followers of Ivy] try to obstruct us. You can stay here if you want, but we will also stay and take her."

As the night passed with Ivy's house surrounded, the police deployed additional forces. She was finally taken into custody early this morning.

At the time of her arrest, Ivy told journalists, "The police are detaining me without showing any arrest warrant. If chanting 'Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu' is a crime, then I am a criminal. But in my 21 years of service to Narayanganj, I have never done anything to harm any party or individual." 

She added, "I have always spoken out whenever there was a killing in Narayanganj. Arresting me as a criminal without committing any crime is an act of discrimination."

Police said that Ivy faces six cases at Siddhirganj and Fatulla police stations, with charges related to killing and attempted murder during the July uprising.

As Ivy was being transported from her house, the police vehicle she was in came under attack, and her supporters, who were marching alongside and chanting slogans, were also targeted.

According to witnesses, when the procession reached Kalibazar, a group of 15 to 20 individuals threw stones, bricks, and eggs at the police vehicle and the supporters. During the clash, two crude explosives were detonated, and two motorcycles were vandalised, causing Ivy's supporters to flee.

Five people, including two police officers, were injured in the attack. Additional Police Superintendent (Circle-K) Hasanuzzaman confirmed the incident, saying, "While transporting former mayor Ivy, stones and bricks were thrown at the police vehicle. Two officers sustained injuries, but Ivy is unharmed. An investigation is underway to identify those behind the attack."

Ivy, the first female city mayor of the country, is the daughter of Ali Ahmed Chunka, a respected labour leader and the first chairman of the Narayanganj Municipality. 

Her political journey began in 2003 when she became the chairperson of Narayanganj Municipality, making history as the first woman to hold the position. In 2011, she won the inaugural Narayanganj City Corporation election, defeating the Awami League-backed candidate, Shamim Osman, by more than 1 lakh votes. 

She was re-elected in 2016 and 2022, each time securing a majority. Ivy is known for her commitment to public service and for implementing various development projects in the city.

After the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August, Ivy was removed from her position as mayor and has since been staying at her home. Before her arrest, Ivy said, "Even if I am in jail, I will contest the election. I am not afraid of anyone. I am Ali Ahmed Chunka's daughter."