Lockdown day 10: Dhaka sees less vehicular, peoples’ movements
Passengers and private vehicles continued gathering at Shimulia Ferry Ghat despite a closing notice from BIWTC
As Bangladesh went through the 10th day of the strict lockdown, vehicular movement across Dhaka city saw a significant decline since Saturday morning, thanks to the closure of most of the public and private offices.
However, people did not stop coming out of home without any emergency need despite heightened monitoring by law enforcers.
Meanwhile, passengers and private vehicles continued gathering at Shimulia Ferry Ghat in Munshiganj.
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Police fined many people at different places of the capital for violating lockdown restrictions and not wearing masks. At the Saat Rasta junction of Tejgaon, police fined three people Tk200 each for not wearing a mask. There was BGB at the junction as well.
Five people were also fined Tk4,200 around the Khilgaon police outpost for violating the lockdown restrictions.
Executive magistrate Md Khairul Islam said "People are coming out home without any emergency need and they are trying to convince us by lying. We noticed that many people were not wearing masks these days."
One Rubayet Roni, who was coming to Moghbazar from Gazipur, was seen stopped at a police check-post in Tejgaon in front of BG Press.
"Although there is a rule that two people cannot get on a bike, some are not following it. We have fined them for flouting the rules. If someone's answer seems satisfactory, we let them go," he added.
"I have come here to buy some daily needs for my aged father who lives in Eskaton," said Hanif, a businessman, when asked the reason for coming there.
"We have fined Hanif as he cannot answer most of our queries. Even he was speaking incoherently," said Durjoy Hasan, sergeant of DMP's Tejgaon Zone.
Not only Hanif, many people are still coming out of homes with any urgent needs, said the law enforcement personnel, adding that only police cannot be able to keep people at home if they are not aware.
Sandeep Sarkar, assistant commissioner of police, Khilgaon Zone, said, "Some people on the streets did not have any urgent work. We are trying to stop them and send them back home. However, the pressure of the people is much less because most offices are closed on Saturday."
Meanwhile, more than 100 day-labourers were seen waiting at around 6.30 am under Moghbazar and Khilgaon flyovers to be hired.
They said they have been facing difficulties in getting hired due to the lockdown.
Md Hanif, who has been coming here in search of work for the last 30 years, said, "I got work two days in the last seven days. Now none wants to hire us. If we don't work, how will we earn money?"
Meanwhile, a long queue was seen in front of the TCB truck in Moghbazar to buy goods at subsidised rate. They were seen hardly maintaining social distance while standing in the queue.
According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, 791 people were detained for flouting lockdown restrictions on Saturday. Of them, 212 were fined Tk166,000 through mobile courts. Additionally, 361 vehicles were fined Tk945,000.
Private vehicles, passengers gather at Shimulia ghat
Passengers and private vehicles on Saturday continued gathering at Shimulia Ferry Ghat in Munshiganj despite a closing notice from Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC).
According to the notice issued on Friday, ferry services will be closed for all types of vehicles and passenger transport from 9 July, except for emergency cargos and ambulances in compliance with proper hygiene rules.
According to the ghat authorities, southbound passengers are arriving at the ghat, out of fear that the present restrictions may be extended up to Eid-ul-Azha.
Faisal Ahmed, manager (Commerce) of Shimulia Ghat of BIWTC, said, "People somehow managed to reach the ghat from Dhaka avoiding police check-posts despite the ban on carrying private vehicles and passengers on the route. Therefore, passengers who came to the ghat are being encouraged to follow the health guidelines."
At the moment, more than 200 cargo vehicles are waiting at the ferry ghat to travel via Shimulia-Banglabazar route. Currently, 10 ferries are plying the route, he added.
