The January 16 clash in Chashara over hawker eviction was allegedly aimed at killing Narayanganj Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy, according to the complaint filed by the legal officer for the city corporation.
The complaint alleges that around 1,000 followers of Narayanganj lawmaker and influential Awami League leader Shamim Osman swooped on Ivy and other Narayanganj City Corporation (NCC) officials when the latter group brought out a march in the city demanding hawker-free walkways.
GMA Sattar filed the written complaint with Narayanganj Model police station on Tuesday morning against nine known people, including gun-toting Shamim loyalist Niazul Islam Khan and Awami League’s Narayanganj district Joint Secretary Shah Nizam.
The seven other identified accused are Juba League Narayanganj city unit President Shahadat Hossain Sajnu, Swechchhasebak League district unit President Jewel Hossain, Awami League Narayanganj city unit Organizing Secretary Jakirul Alam Helal, Swechchhasebak League leader Jane Alam Biplob, Chhatra League district unit General Secretary Mizanur Rahman Sujan, Juba League leader Chanchal Mahmud and his fellow activist Nasir Uddin alias Tunda Nasir.
Police sources said a further 1,000 unknown individuals were also implicated in the complaint.
Also Read - Violence breaks out after Shamim supporters swoop on Ivy
According to the case dockets, Mayor Ivy, along with Narayanganj panel mayor 1, ward councillors and other officials and employees, started a march at around 4pm on January 16, aiming to free the footpaths of Bangabandhu Street in the city from hawkers.
Soon after reaching Sayam Plaza in the city’s Chashara area half an hour later, they were attacked by up to 1,000 followers of MP Shamim Osman.
At that time, Niazul and Nizam, among others, opened fire on the marchers, according to the case.
As the attackers came at them, Ivy’s colleagues formed a human shield around her. Despite this, the NCC mayor and about 100 other people were injured, some critically.
Those with severe injuries were rushed to Narayanganj General Hospital and Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Also Read - Tuesday’s Narayanganj clash: Ivy, Shamim blame each other
Two days after suffering her injuries in the clash, Mayor Ivy fell ill on Thursday afternoon, complaining of having low blood pressure and chest pain. She was rushed to Labaid Hospital in Dhaka and discharged on January 23.
The complaint further mentioned that illegal occupation of the Narayanganj city footpaths by hawkers has been a long-standing problem.
It said the NCC had attempted several times in vain to evict the hawkers and relocate them in designated shops.
Also Read - Ivy: I won’t allow hawkers on Narayanganj footpaths
Despite all the efforts, hawkers continued to occupy the footpaths with Shamim Osman’s support, Sattar alleged in the complaint.
Narayanganj Model police station OC Abdur Razzak said medical documents of the people injured in the clash had been attached with the complaint.
“We will decide on the next course of action after investigating into the allegations,” he added.This article was first published on banglatribune.com