Siddhirganj (Narayanganj) Correspondent
The law enforcement agencies are in a tough position in Narayanganj’s Siddhirganj area to implement the countrywide lockdown. Punitive actions are also being taken when people are defying the lockdown guidelines.
The government had announced strict restrictions from the third day of Eid-ul-Azha to prevent the spread of corona infection.
As a result, people returning from home are entering the capital on foot for there is no public transport available due to restrictions.
Such a picture was seen at the Signboard More on Dhaka-Chattogram highway in Siddhirganj on Sunday, the third day of the ongoing strict lockdown.
Police there have set up a check post at Signboard More on the highway. No passengers were being allowed to enter the capital without having any urgent reasons and cargo transports are also being allowed to enter the capital only after interrogation.
Visiting the area it was seen that desperate people were traveling on rickshaws from Shimrail in Siddhirganj to the Signboard More. Then they were entering the capital on foot from the signboard as the bus service is closed.
Executive Magistrate of Narayanganj district administration Mehedi Hasan Faruk said along with police, Ansar and RAB members, 3 teams of Army, 2 platoons of BGB and 23 teams of mobile court are working on field across the district.
“We are motivating the common people so that they do not come out of their houses except emergencies. Regular announcements are also being made to make people aware”, the official added.
Asma Akter, a resident of Chilarbagh area of Narayanganj’s Sonargaon said, her only daughter Afsana, has been suffering from diarrhea for the last 10 days so she was taking her to Mohakhali Children's Hospital in the capital.
“We came to Kanchpur by rickshaw from Sonargaon. From there we came to Signboard More in another rickshaw. But, now I can’t find any transport now. Let's see how far I can go on foot”, she said on her way to the capital on Sunday.
Asif Ahmed came from Tarabo area of Rupganj in a rickshaw to Shimrail in Siddhirganj. His destination was Capital’s Jatrabari. He said rickshaw pullers were asking a fare of Tk 100 to come to Signboard More from Shimrail. So, he came to there on foot.
He again said, the rickshaw fare from Signboard to Jatrabari skyrocketed to Tk 220. So he has decided to walk the rest of the way as it was not possible for him to pay such a high fare.
When asked about the current situation of the highway amid the lockdown, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kanchpur Highway Police Station Moniruzzaman said police members are working on the highway to enforce strict restrictions.
No vehicles are being allowed to leave or enter without having an emergency situation.
