Mushtaq Ahmed Shawon , Narayanganj :
Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy, former Mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation and senior vice-president of the district Awami League, was arrested early on Friday morning (9 May) from her residence in Deobhog, Narayanganj.
The arrest was followed by violent clashes, a police convoy attack, and widespread protests in the city.
Dr. Ivy was detained at approximately 5:45 am by law enforcement officers under heightened security, as a significant number of supporters gathered outside her home.
As she was being transported, a group of 30-40 individuals ambushed the police convoy near Kalar Bazar on Bibi Road.
Attackers reportedly hurled bricks at police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) vehicles and detonated a small explosive device.
Following the incident, the police rushed Dr. Ivy to the office of the Superintendent of Police. Two police personnel and three civilians sustained injuries during the attack; their identities were not immediately confirmed.
In a Dramatic turn, the assailants later staged a protest in Narayanganj city, chanting slogans against both Ivy and the Awami League. The unrest added to the already tense political atmosphere surrounding her arrest.
At around 10:00 am, Dr. Ivy was presented before Senior Judicial Magistrate Mainuddin Qadir in connection with the killing of garment worker Minarul during a student-led anti-discrimination protest in Siddhirganj.
The court ordered her to be remanded in custody until the next hearing, scheduled for 26 May. She was subsequently transferred to Kashimpur Women’s Central Jail in Dhaka.
Narayanganj District Jail Superintendent Mohammad Forkan Wahid confirmed her transfer, stating she is now under prison supervision.
Police Inspector Kaiyum Khan of the Narayanganj Court noted that police did not seek her remand, and no bail application was submitted on her behalf.
Attempts to arrest Ivy began the previous night, around 11:30 pm on Thursday. As news of the police presence spread, hundreds of residents gathered outside her residence in a show of support.
Addressing the crowd, Ivy reportedly stated, “Tell them I will not leave at night. If they wish to arrest me, they must come during the day.”
The crowd responded by blocking access roads to her home using bamboo poles and pushcarts, chanting slogans. Loudspeakers from nearby mosques called on locals to join the protest, and four surrounding roads were blocked.
At around 3:00 am, a three-member police team entered her home. Dr. Ivy reiterated her refusal to be taken at night and was subsequently arrested in daylight, as agreed with the officers.
While being detained, she questioned the motives behind her arrest, stating: “I was at home. I didn’t flee. Why arrest me like this? Have I committed any crimes? Have I killed anyone or extorted money? What conspiracy is this, and who benefits from it?”
She added, “You protested against discrimination. A new government has taken office. If I am being punished for saying ‘Joy Bangla, Joy Bangabandhu’, I accept it. I have never committed any crime. I protested when no one dared, including over the murder of Toki. I have always served the people.”
Additional Superintendent of Police (Circle-K) Md. Hasanuzzaman confirmed the convoy attack, describing it as a serious incident involving brick-throwing and an explosion. While several individuals were injured, Dr. Ivy remained unharmed throughout the transfer and court proceedings.
The arrest of a prominent political figure under such circumstances has intensified political tensions in Narayanganj and drawn national attention. Authorities have yet to provide further details regarding the investigation into the Siddhirganj murder case.
