Countrywide ‘Strict Lockdown’: More people, vehicles out and about on seventh day

On the seventh day of the government's "strict lockdown", pressure of vehicles and public movement increased in the capital as well as in different districts yesterday. 

Private cars, rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and motorbikes were seen dominating the streets, though operation of public transport remained shut.

Vehicles were even seen stuck at different traffic signals, including those at Asadgate, Panthapath, Kalyanpur, Mohammadpur, Malibagh, Kakrail and Mirpur areas.

Many people were seen walking due to shortage of transport options.

Pressure of vehicles and public movement forced law enforcers to put extra effort to deal with the situation.

In Dhaka metropolitan area, police arrested 1,102 people for violating the lockdown. Besides, 245 were fined Tk 1,71,980, and 804 vehicles were fined Tk 18,68,500 yesterday, said Iftekhairul Islam, additional deputy commissioner (media) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.

As banks, industrial factories and other emergency services are open, public movement is rising. But police have taken a tough stance against those who come out without proper reason, he said.

Along with law enforcers, people's representatives at different spots conducted awareness campaigns.

A man on behalf of a local ward councillor was seen delivering awareness messages at the capital's North Circular Road area yesterday noon.

Sultan Miah, who sells fruits at the capital's Hatirpool area, said, "I've no alternative but to come out, because I've to earn a living selling fruits. But I noticed many here roam around the streets without any reason."

Flouting rules, many small shops and tea stalls by by-lanes and alleys were seen open, and public gatherings were noticed.

A similar situation prevailed outside Dhaka.

In Manikganj, private cars, motorbikes and passengers were seen travelling on ferries on Paturia-Daulatdia route, which is considered one of the gateways of southern districts. Paturia is located in Manikganj and Daulatdia in Rajbari.

As per government directives, only goods-laden vehicles, ambulances and other vehicles for emergency services are allowed to operate.

A large number of people were seen roaming the town's streets. Whenever people see law enforcers, they started running. Rickshaws and auto-rickshaws were plying on the streets.

Mobile courts fined 49 persons over Tk 38,000 for violating the lockdown.

In Munshiganj, public movement increased on different streets, but rickshaws and auto-rickshaws were not seen much. Many were seen walking to reach their destination.

"I had to come out for an emergency reason, but I didn't get any rickshaw. So, I had to walk for around two kilometres," said Sifat Hossain, a resident of the town's Sreepolli area.

Some ward councillors and peoples' representatives were seen patrolling streets to raise awareness.

A total of 23 mobile courts were deployed in the districts. The courts fined some 96 people over Tk 51,000 for violating the lockdown.

Earlier, the government imposed a seven-day nationwide "strict lockdown" from July 1. Later, it was extended till July 14.