Cars on roads again; people give trivial excuses to be on the streets

Amid the record daily cases of Covid-19, Dhaka on Tuesday witnessed an increased number of private cars and crowds on the streets as people seemed reluctant to follow the restrictions.

Dhaka's usual traffic congestion returned yesterday morning amid the countrywide lockdown, as the administration was struggling to stop people from coming out on the streets.

According to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police, law enforcers arrested 467 people for violating lockdown rules. Among them, 305 were punished and fined Tk22,780  by mobile courts.

Police also fined 1,087 car owners Tk25 lakh.

The number of office-goers also rose, compared to the previous five days. There were traffic jams at some intersections in the city.

Even though the lockdown restrictions stated that organisations must arrange their own vehicles for their employees, many did not do so. Employees were forced to reach their destinations by rickshaws or on foot.

The law enforcement agencies were found to be less strict at some checkpoints, whereas they were active at key points. There was no presence of law  enforcers around the intersection of the Khilgaon rail gate in the morning. Working people, including bank officials, were seen going to their offices and workplaces by cars, rickshaws and vans.

The police were apparently lenient at the check post adjacent to Khidmah Hospital in Khilgaon. Several policemen were seen sitting under the passenger shed next to the post.

A large number of rickshaws, auto-rickshaws and motorcycles were plying the streets.

A similar scene was noticed in Basabo and Maniknagar areas. Rickshaws and vans, as well as private cars, were spotted in these areas.

Most of the drivers and passengers said they had left home for medical, office or urgent emergencies.

Whenever police stopped a car to check in Banglamotor, Kawran Bazar, Farmgate, Asad Gate, Shukrabad, Science Lab, Bata Signal, Katabon and Shahbagh intersections, a queue formed behind the said vehicle.

Many were seen on the streets without masks while some people had their masks dangling on their chins. When police sought explanations, they said their masks were in their pockets, they were talking on the phone, the masks fell off from their faces a little earlier, and so on.

Traffic Police Sergeant Lima Akhter (Mohammadpur Zone) said, "Fearing jail and fines, the drivers are avoiding mobile courts or police teams. Most people are leaving home with a medical prescription, various test reports, and giving excuses like parents are alone at home or there is no one to babysit a child."

Police stopped Sabbir Helal and his friend when they were on their way to Moghbazar from Savar's Chandra. Sabbir said they were going to a hospital, but police detained them when they could not tell the name of the hospital.

Rabiul Islam, who works in a cosmetic shop in New Market, was also detained by police. He said his cosmetic shop also sold groceries and essential food items. Later, he was released after he paid a fine to a mobile court.

Abu Bakar, who came to buy groceries in Hatirpool market, told TBS, "It does not matter if there is a lockdown or not. One has to go to the kitchen market. And today I saw that the market was very crowded."

Ramna Zone Executive Magistrate Saiful Rahman told TBS, "Cases are being filed against those who are travelling in pairs on motorcycles. We are also fining and detaining people through the mobile courts if they do not follow the health rules, social distancing and cannot show proper reasons for leaving their house."