Over 300 arrested in Dhaka for breaching lockdown rules

Police’s crackdown on pandemic breaches continued with arrests of more than 300 people in Dhaka on the second day of the nationwide hard lockdown. 

As many as 320 people were arrested on Friday for breach of the stay-at-home order and prosecuted under the DMP Ordinance, said Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Iftekhairul Islam.

Mobile courts fined another 208 people for staying outside without a valid reason.

Owners of 219 vehicles were slapped with fines worth Tk545,500 for violating the lockdown restrictions.

ADC Islam said police installed barricades and check-posts at all important points of the city to monitor the movement of vehicles as well as people on the second day of the lockdown.

“Legal measures have been initiated against those who left their homes without a valid reason. Those who were out on an emergency had no problem,” he added.

Meanwhile, the army were also seen patrolling the streets of Dhaka, as the government scrambles to bring the Covid-19 situation under control.   

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Though there were fewer vehicles on the main roads as compared to Thursday, rickshaws that provide last-mile connectivity to the residents were seen plying at many places.

DMP's Uttara Division Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Islam said: “We have distributed masks to the people besides setting up check-posts and deploying patrol teams. From Saturday, legal action will be taken against anyone without a mask. Even if you leave home for valid reasons, you must wear a mask.” 

Police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people after setting up check-posts in different areas of the capital on the 2nd day of the lockdown.

A total of 166 patrol teams and 145 check posts were set up by RAB across the country. RAB mobile courts fined 213 people a total of Tk2,15,540 during the first day of the lockdown, reports Bangla Tribune.

On Thursday, police arrested 550 people and detained 373 people, who were later released on bond, from different areas in the city.

Bangladesh has entered into a stringent seven-day lockdown from Thursday, imposing a stay-at-home order for citizens, who are only allowed to leave their homes for emergency and to buy essentials.