Nearly 400 arrested in Dhaka during lockdown

Police on Saturday arrested 383 people and penalized 441 vehicles in Dhaka for violating restrictions on the second day of the strict post-Eid nationwide lockdown reinforced to rein in the soaring Covid-19 infections.

DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam confirmed the matter to the media.

Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk95,230 in fines from 137 people for having no valid reason to roam around and not maintain health guidelines.

The Traffic division collected Tk10.83 lakh in penalties, from vehicles failing to comply with the curbs in place.

However, roads in the capital fell almost silent on Saturday, as law enforcers dissuaded inessential travel on the second day of lockdown.  

Also Read - Silence descends upon Dhaka

There were fewer private cars and commercial vehicles on the main roads as compared to the first day.

RAB and Army personnel patrolling the streets of Dhaka alongside police were seen monitoring the movement of vehicles and people at check-posts in different areas.

“Though some of the long-distance buses and vehicles were allowed to enter Dhaka through Uttara and Abdullahpur on Friday, we strictly followed a no tolerance policy on Saturday," said traffic police officer Akhtar Hossain.

The few private cars, microbuses, and other commercial vehicles that were caught plying on the roads without any valid reason were fined or compounded by police.

A police officer in the Amin Bazar area said: "Some people have been trying to enter the city showing medical documents but most of those were found to be old and invalid.” 

Also Read - 403 people arrested in city during lockdown

The lockdown restrictions came into force at 8am on Friday and will continue till August 5 midnight, unless extended again as announced by the government on Thursday, upping its guard against the devastating Delta variant of Covid-19.

On Thursday, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said that this lockdown will be stricter than the one imposed last time. 

Police, paramilitary Bangladesh Border Guard and the Army will keep a strict vigil on the roads, he added.

Earlier, the government eased the lockdown restrictions in the country for eight days due to Eid-ul-Azha that was celebrated on Wednesday.