Chattogram traders demonstrate against lockdown

Protesting the ongoing lockdown, several thousand traders have staged demonstration blocking the New Market intersection of Chattogram city.

They took to the streets around 3pm today and started chanting slogans urging the authorities to repeal the lockdown. 

They demanded businesses be allowed to remain open, even if it is on a limited scale.

Md Sagir, president of Chattogram New Market Business Association, said they took to the streets as they had their backs to the wall.

"We starved for three months during the first phase of the lockdown. There was no incentive from the government. But VAT and other taxes were collected from us," he said.

"The lockdown has been imposed again at a time when we were eyeing good sales with the occasion of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr ahead," he added.

President of Lohagara Merchants' Association, Mohiuddin Chowdhury Bachchu, told The Business Standard they will be ruined if their businesses remain shut ahead of Ramadan and Eid.

"We incurred a great loss last year. If the market remains shut this time too, we will be ruined," he said.

He demanded that markets be allowed to open complying with hygiene rules, in the manner industries and factories are in operation.

Apart from Chattogram city, demonstrations have taken place in Lohagara and Hathazari upazilas with hundreds of local traders demanding permission to keep their markets open.

Around 12pm, Lohagara shop owners and traders blocked the main road in Bat Tali area and chanted various anti-lockdown slogans.

In Hathazari, shop owners and workers besieged the Upazila Nirbahi Officer's office when they were asked to shut their shops.

UNO Ruhul Amin confirmed the news to The Business Standard.

On the first day of the nationwide lockdown, local administration did not show much action in implementing the lockdown in the port city of Chattogram.

Operation of long-haul vehicles was suspended, but public transport was seen operating in the city, with more passengers than the government prescribed number to ensure health safety.

Although shopping malls are closed, other shops and markets are open.