Anyone found to be violating the strict Covid-19 lockdown rules and restrictions will be arrested and sued, warned Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner Mohammad Shafiqul Islam on Wednesday.
"If anyone leaves the house without any emergency during the lockdown starting from Thursday, they will be arrested and sued under Section 269 of the Penal Code," he said at a press briefing held at the DMP Media Centre in the capital.
He said the section includes a maximum jail term of six months and a fine.
"This time the police will take tough action against the violators. We’ve preparations to arrest 5,000 people or more a day from the capital if needed. Then we’ll send them to jail and produce before the court," he added.
Mobile courts will hand down the immediate punishments to the violators after questioning them, said the DMP chief.
The government is set to impose a seven-day hard lockdown across the country from 6am Thursday to curb the spread of Covid-19.
On Wednesday, the Cabinet Division issued a gazette notification imposing certain rules and regulations for the lockdown.
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Earlier last week, the National Technical Advisory Committee (NTAC) on Covid-19 recommended imposing what it called a nationwide shutdown for two weeks as the country is experiencing a steep rise in Covid deaths and cases.
Replying to a question, DMP chief Shafiqul said: “No motorized vehicle will be allowed to ply roads but rickshaws can move enabling people to deal with emergency causes like buying daily essentials, medicines, and taking patients to hospitals. No one will be allowed to use a rickshaw for roaming or visiting relatives."
Asked about the media people’s movement, he said the journalists have been asked to cover their assignments with their ID cards and they can move around the city to perform their duties.
“Police won’t obstruct them. They can also use vehicles provided by their respective offices,” he added.
Responding to another query, the DMP commissioner said police patrolling will be increased on main roads as well as in alleys of the city.
No shop will be allowed to open as kitchen markets will be set up in open places for avoiding public gatherings so that people can easily buy everything, he added.
Check-posts will be set up at the entrance and exit points of Dhaka city and other important points, and the monitoring will be strengthened, Shafiqul said.
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In some cases, necessary action will be taken under the Traffic Act, he said.
About driving private vehicles, the DMP commissioner said: “No private vehicle will be allowed to ply roads but those which have got approval from the government will be permitted to move.”
Besides, he said, the relatives of returnees from abroad have no need to go to airports. In that case, the returnees have been advised to hire vehicles from airports and go to their respective destinations, Shafiqul added.
