‘Country not in lockdown’
Mentioning that there has been no countrywide lockdown, Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud yesterday said it is very regretful that people are being harassed by members of law enforcement agencies when they go out for urgent reasons.
"No lockdown has been imposed in the country… anyone can come out and go to the streets, if necessary. It's very regretful that people face harassment when they come out and go to the streets. Police have not been asked to do so," he said.
The minister made the remarks at a Facebook live press conference from his official residence in the city.
He said the government has suggested people not to roam on streets unnecessarily.
Dr Mahmud said even the police headquarters on Thursday asked all its field-level officials that one can come out to the streets, unless required, and suggested the officials to send people back to their residences convincing them if anyone goes out to streets unnecessarily.
So, he added, it is not right to harass anyone when they go out for a necessity.
He also criticised BNP for the gathering of thousands of people when its chief Khaleda Zia was released on Wednesday, amid enforcement of social distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
"BNP manifested nothing other than its utter irresponsibility by allowing gathering of thousands of people," he said.
Noting that the whole world is facing a pandemic, he said they do not want to see the political blame-game at this time of disaster.
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