Nine charged with attempted murder on Narayanganj Mayor Ivy

The Narayanganj City Corporation has brought charges of attempted murder against nine people, including Awami League MP Shamim Osman’s henchman Niazul Islam Khan.

They tried to kill Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy during clashes over the eviction of roadside hawkers on Jan 16, according to case details.

AGM Sattar, an official of the Narayanganj City Corporation, filed the case with Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station on Tuesday.

Niazul was seen brandishing a pistol in photos of the clashes in Narayanganj.

The case also names local Awami League leader Shah Nizam and accuses more than 1,000 unidentified people, said Additional Superintendent of Police Mostafizur Rahman.

Ivy and Shamim have blamed each other over the fierce clashes between their supporters.

Ivy, vice-president of Narayanganj district Awami League, says Shamim wanted her killed and sent one of his henchmen with gun to carry out the mission while the MP says Niazul used his licensed gun only in self-defence.

Shamim, a leader of the party’s Narayanganj City unit, claimed the clashes were not a result of his longstanding rivalry with Ivy.

Rather it was a clash between the hawkers and the city corporation, said the influential Osman family member.

The photos of Niazul sparked discussions prompting the police and district administration to announce moves against him.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan told the media on Jan 18 that raids were on to nab the armed men seen in the footage. 

Niazul filed a general diary with Narayanganj Sadar Police Station on Wednesday alleging that he lost the pistol in an attack by supporters of Mayor Ivy.

In the GD, Niazul accused 17 of Ivy’s supporters of beating him up when he was on his way to the Narayanganj Club that day. 

Ivy was brought to Dhaka and admitted to the Labaid Hospital after she fell ill last week.

Ivy and Shamim had been summoned to Dhaka to sit in a meeting and mend their differences, Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader said on Jan 19.

But he did not disclose any specific date or venue for the meeting.