Eye in the sky

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) is using a drone (unnamed aerial vehicles) in the port city's Kotwali area to find people who are still going out from their residences without emergency.

Officials said they are resorting to the technology to monitor different lanes and areas more effectively, so that people stay indoors during what is estimated to be the peak time for the novel coronavirus' spread.

After going through the drone footage, police are taking action against the shutdown violators, they said.

According to health experts, social transmission of Covid-19 has started in the port city and in districts like Dhaka and Narayanganj.

So far, 32 people have contracted the virus in Chattogram, of whom five have died, said civil surgeon office sources.

On April 12, Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammed Mohsin posted a video message on social media for residents of Kotwali area, asking them to stay indoors.

"The drone is flying and helping us see you. (Footage of) those who are violating the government order and helping the infectious disease to spread through roaming or gathering outside without any reason are being captured by the drone. We are collecting evidence against you (the violators) to take legal action," the OC said in the video.

Talking to The Daily Star, the official said, "We are working round the clock to make sure people stay at home, along with all our other duties. It is not possible for us to visit every remote lane or area to check people's movement and whether they are maintaining social distance."

"This is why we've deployed the drone, as it shows a wider view and helps us identify lockdown violators and take legal action," he added.

"We have been doing this for the last four days," he said.

The drone's footage shows that people, especially in slums and crowded areas, are still gathering outside without emergencies, even if to only play ludo. 

The idea was first introduced by Kerala police in India to detect shutdown violators in the state.