Shafiqul Islam (Shafiq)
Restrictions on seven days of “severe” lockdowns have begun across the country amid widespread restrictions on coronavirus infection control. The streets of the capital were very empty in this ‘all-out lockdown’ which started on Thursday morning. Apart from vehicles of government and various service organizations, some rickshaws are running on different roads. Although some private cars were seen moving, the number was very low. Police have set up barbed wire barricades in addition to check posts at street corners. No one is allowed to be on the streets without an urgent need. In the morning, army patrols were seen in Gulshan, Rampura and Hatijheel, Motijheel, Azimpur areas.

Troops have been deployed across the country to assist the civilian administration in enforcing government restrictions. 106 executive magistrates have been deployed in the field to run the mobile court. Offices, courts, public transport, shopping malls have been closed. The public has been requested to stay at home. Hundreds of people have been arrested in different parts of the capital for not being able to show real cause on the streets. For several days now, there have been warnings of severe punishment for leaving the house without an urgent reason.

On the morning of the first day of the strict lockdown, police check posts were seen at Mouchak, Shantinagar, Kakrail, Naya Paltan, Fakirapul, Bijaynagar, Mirpur, Azimpur, Badda, Rampura, Shahbag, Dhanmondi and Hatirpul. At the corner of Kakrail, a police officer said that if anybody did not show a reasonable reason to leave the house, he would face a case, jail and fine. We are not giving any discharge, we are strict.

Although there is a ban on the movement of engine driven vehicles in the lockdown, there is no obstacle for rickshaws. Rickshaw drivers have been sitting at various road junctions since morning but are not getting passengers. It is raining.

Hossain Ali, a rickshaw puller at the Azimpur intersection, said, Sir, I have made good money in the last few days. But I haven’t had a fever since Thursday morning. How do we live? Though the rickshaw pullers are sitting in a huddle, the policemen are whistling them from time to time.

The government has allowed the factories to operate on their own, even though the office court is closed. In the morning, many garment workers can be seen walking to work. They are also being questioned by the law enforcement agencies. People are not allowed to crowd the food shops either.