292 protests held since pandemic hit the country

Some 292 protests were held across Bangladesh for different reasons since Covid-19 hit the country in March, said a report of Dhaka University's Centre for Genocide Studies (CGS). 

Among those, 96 protests were held for unpaid salaries and Eid bonuses; 55 for demanding relief, aid and food; 39 against lay-offs or closures and pay cuts; 37 for proper medical equipment or against mismanagement in health sector; and 36 over lockdown rules, for accountability, against proposed budget and hike in bus-fares, and for reopening.

Besides, 17 protests took place for waiver of rent or tuition fees, and 11 against irregularities in relief, aid and food distribution.

CGS shared the report styled "Covid-19 Graphics" with the media yesterday. It is the 20th edition of a report series by Bangladesh Peace Observatory, a CGS initiative.

The report was prepared based on news reports published or aired by 25 media outlets, including national and local dailies, online news sites, and television channels.

The latest report said some 87 people were arrested in connection with 86 incidents of spreading rumour over Covid-19.

It said 635 people were arrested and another 13,399 fined between March 1 and September 19. It observed that giving out fines and penalties for not maintaining health guidelines and violating social distancing in public places is gradually declining in recent weeks.

Among the offenders, 62 percent were civilians and 24 percent traders.

Amid the pandemic, 244 incidents related to verbal abuse and social stigma took place. Also, 150 incidents of violence related to the coronavirus occurred in the country, which caused 24 deaths and 606 injuries.