Former Narayanganj mayor Salina Hayat Ivy arrested
Salina Hayat Ivy, former mayor of Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC), was arrested around 5:45am today following a night-long raid at her Deobhog residence in the city.
Confirming the arrest, Additional Superintendent of Narayanganj Police Tarek Al Mehdi said Ivy is accused in at least five cases filed with different police stations in connection with killings and attacks during the July uprising.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. She will be formally shown arrested in these cases, he said.
A team from Sadar Model Police Station entered Ivy's residence 'Chunka Kutir' around 11:30pm last night to arrest her. But she said that she would not leave the house at night. Six hours later, Ivy boarded the police vehicle, our correspondent reports from the spot.
Before being taken into police custody, she spoke to reporters outside her home, asking, "Am I an oppressor? Have I committed murder, engaged in extortion? Do I have any record of attacking any opposition party in Narayanganj city? Then for what reason, in whose interest, was I arrested?"
She further said, "Those who are currently in power have spoken of equality. You protested against discrimination. You overthrew the government and brought in a new one. So why this discrimination still? Then what is the value of honest politics and integrity?"
Ivy added, "I do not exactly know why I am being taken. Since the administration has come to my house and said that a warrant has been issued against me—though they could not show the warrant papers—but out of respect for the law, I am going with them."
Ivy, who was elected mayor of NCC for three consecutive terms, was the former senior vice-president of the district Awami League.
Meanwhile, news of the police raid sparked protests in the area as thousands of locals took to the streets overnight.
Chanting slogans, they said they would not allow police to take away in the dark of night
As she was being taken away by police, thousands of men and women chanted slogans in her support.
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