Police Increase Watch on Former Mayor Ivy’s Home

Bangla Press Desk:  Police have increased surveillance around the Narayanganj home of former city corporation mayor Salina Hayat Ivy following her release from prison, installing CCTV cameras and deploying plainclothes officers in the area.

Police say the measures are aimed at ensuring the three-time former mayor’s personal security and monitoring whether she becomes involved in any activities linked to the Awami League, whose activities had been banned by the Mohammad Yunus-led interim government.

Ivy was released from Kashimpur Central Women’s Jail in Gazipur around 10pm on Wednesday after spending nearly 13 months in prison over 12 cases.

She returned to her family home Chunka Kutir in Narayanganj’s Deobhog shortly after midnight.

On the way, she visited the city cemetery at Masdair to pay respects at the graves of her father, mother, and brother.

Police had been deployed at several points across Narayanganj before her return, while a large contingent remained outside her residence throughout the night.

Local residents said CCTV cameras were installed outside the house and on nearby roads overnight.

Tea stall owner Md Sujon, whose shop is near the residence, said there had previously been no such cameras in the area.

Confirming the increased security, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime) Tarek Al Mehdi told bdnews24.com that police were stepping up security arrangements because Ivy is a former mayor.

“At the same time, we are monitoring to ensure that she does not become involved in activities of a banned organisation and that no one attempts to provoke or mobilise support on its behalf,” he said.

He added that plainclothes officers had been deployed in the area and that while Ivy was free to conduct her normal activities on bail, she could not participate in political events under the Awami League.

“If that happens, we will take the necessary action. We will continue monitoring the overall situation,” he said.

Tarek also confirmed the installation of CCTV cameras but said the move was part of a broader policing initiative rather than being focused solely on Ivy’s residence.

“We are planning to bring Narayanganj’s neighbourhoods and lanes under CCTV coverage as part of efforts to reduce crime. Around 2,000 cameras will be installed across the city,” he said.

Ivy was first elected chairman of Narayanganj Municipality in 2003, defeating the BNP-backed candidate by a wide margin.

After the municipality was upgraded to Narayanganj City Corporation in 2011, she became its first female mayor and went on to win re-elections in 2016 and 2022.

Following the ouster of the Awami League government during the July Uprising, the interim government removed Ivy and other city corporation mayors from office on Aug 18, 2024.