Where is social distancing?
An iftar gathering was held at a ward councillor's residence in Chattogram city on Tuesday, without maintaining social distance amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Around 50 leaders and activists of Awami League and its associate organisations in Patenga attended the programme arranged by Saleh Ahmed Chowdhury, councillor of ward-41 (South Patenga), party sources said.
However, Saleh Ahmed, also president of the ward unit of the ruling AL,denied arranging any iftar party. "I have got a letter from the mayor to hold a meeting to form a relief committee on May 2 and so I asked our leaders and activists to come to my residence," he told The Daily Star yesterday.
"During the meeting, it was time for iftar and we bought iftar items from shops," he said. "There was no preparation for iftar party at my residence."
When asked about social distancing, the councillor said the space was too small for around 50 people."I'm sorry about that," he said.
Asked about the relief committee, he said, "Some leaders were absent and so the committee will be formed later."
Saled claimed that his political rivals took pictures of the gathering and spread on the social media to "tarnish my image".
Divisional Commissioner ABM Azad said arranging such a meeting in the name of forming a committee is a "lame excuse".
Utpal Barua, officer-in-charge of Patenga Police Station, said they were looking into it.
Contacted, city Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin, also general secretary of city unit AL, said he did not know about the gathering.
There are instructions for all ward councillors from the city corporation and AL to form relief distribution committees, he said, adding that meetings have to be held maintaining social distance.
"I will take steps so that such gatherings are not held in future," he said.
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