Staff Correspondent, Munshiganj
Ignoring all covid restrictions, a stream of homebound people descended on the Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj on the occasion of Eid to reach their destinations.
There was no end to the crowd even after the announcement of stopping the ferry service during the day. People barged in, crossing the check post of law enforcers including that of BGB. The number of people seem to be increasing by the day.
About 6,500 passengers left Ghat No 3 on Monday morning and more ferries took off in regular intervals. However, 15 ferries have been plying from the last night till the morning. There was a rush of people until 3am.
Earlier, BIWTC AGM Shafiqul Islam said that ferry services will remain closed during the day without emergency services.
Passengers have indulged themselves in various ways to cross the Padma. On Monday, police detained 13 engine-driven boats while crossing the Padma with passengers as fishing boats.
Sirajul Kabir, in-charge of Mawa Naval Police Outpost, said that despite the ban, there seems to be no stopping the passengers. Attempts were being made to cross the Padma from the side of Shimulia Ghat in Munshiganj and go to Banglabazar in Madaripur, Kanthalbari and Majhikandi in Shariatpur. Many boats were detained. Later, the mobile court fined 13 boatmen Tk 36,000.
The government announced a daytime shutdown of ferries from Saturday to reduce the risk of covid infection due to the influx of homebound people. However, the crowd was not going to stop and therefore, the BGB was deployed on Sunday. Even that could not put a halt to the influx of the people. However, launches, trawlers and speedboats are all closed and the ferries were not running as per schedule, hence thousands of people are waiting for a way to make it to the other side.
Deputy Commissioner, Moniruzzaman Talukder said that the corwd is not going to reduce anytime soon. Therefore, to avoid the risk of infection, all kinds of ferry services have been stopped at Shimulia-Banglabazar Ghat during the day.
Passengers complained regarding the shutdown of long-distance travel. It eventually costs extra money and leads to more sufferings. The passengers tried to make various arguments in response to why they were not complying with the covid protocols.
