Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

While transporting former Narayanganj City Mayor and senior Awami League leader Selina Hayat Ivy, miscreants attacked the police convoy. The incident took place around 6:30 AM on Friday at the Kaalir Bazar intersection on Bibi Road in Narayanganj.

 Stones and homemade explosives (cocktails) were thrown at police and RAB vehicles. Five people, including two police officers, were injured.

 According to eyewitnesses, after Ivy was arrested in the morning, she was being taken to the Detective Branch (DB) office in a convoy of 15 police and RAB vehicles. A group of 30–40 people launched the attack, throwing stones and detonating a cocktail. Ivy’s supporters fled after being chased by police. The identities of the injured were not immediately available.

 During her arrest, Ivy said, “Police are taking me without showing any warrant. If saying Joy Bangla and Joy Bangabandhu is a crime, then I’m a criminal. In my 21 years of service in Narayanganj, I never harmed any party or individual. I always protested against injustice. Arresting me without cause is discrimination. I need the support of the people of Narayanganj once again.”

 Additional Police Superintendent (A-Circle) Md. Hasanuzzaman, who was present during the operation, told the media: “While transporting Selina Hayat Ivy, there was an attack involving stones and a cocktail blast. Two officers and several others were injured. Ivy was not harmed.”

 Earlier that night (May 8), around midnight, residents of Deobhog surrounded Ivy’s house and began protesting when police tried to arrest her. Hundreds gathered at the gate, chanting slogans such as “If anything happens to Ivy Apa, fire will burn in every house,” and “Why was Ivy Apa detained? We demand answers.”

 At around 11:30 PM, a police team from Narayanganj Sadar Police Station entered Ivy’s home, Chunka Kutir, sparking protests from locals who then barricaded the area. Announcements from nearby mosques urged residents to join the protest.

 Background: During the anti-discrimination student movement, Selina Hayat Ivy was named as an accused in a murder case filed in Narayanganj. The complainant, Nazmul Haque, is the brother of garments worker Minarul Islam, who was shot dead during the protests. The case names 132 individuals and another 200–300 unidentified suspects.

 Selina Hayat Ivy was first elected as chairperson of Narayanganj Municipality in 2003 during the BNP coalition rule. In 2011, she defeated Shamim Osman by over 100,000 votes to become the country’s first female city mayor.

 Following the fall of the Awami League government amid a popular uprising on August 19, Ivy—despite being elected mayor three times—was removed from office by the interim government, along with mayors from other cities.

 Though homes of other Awami League leaders faced attacks, vandalism, and looting, Ivy, known as a "clean politician," did not face such retaliation.