Army building coronavirus awareness

The streets of Khulna, which used to be packed with people only a few days ago, wore a deserted look on Wednesday afternoon because of the presence of armed forces personnel.

Most of the city residents stayed at home. However, a few did come out because of necessity, but avoided public gathering and tended to maintain social distancing.

Six platoons of the army were deployed in Khulna city on Wednesday, said Khulna Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Helal Hossain. He said more armed forces members will be deployed if it becomes necessary to enforce social distancing and implementation other precautionary measures to curb coronavirus transmission.  

The Bangladesh Army, under the respective deputy commissioner offices, deployed troops across the country on Wednesday. Bangladesh Navy personnel were also deployed in some districts. They distributed leaflets and explained protective measures through loudspeakers.    

With the help of the zila and upazila administration and the city corporation, armed forces personnel made sure there were no gatherings in the towns and upazilas in Chattogram, and made sure that people maintained social distancing.

Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Elius Hossain said armed forces members with upazila executive magistrates were overseeing the situation.  

The Business Standard's Mymensingh correspondent reported that army personnel moved out to the district town from Wednesday afternoon. They urged people to maintain social distancing through loudhailers. 

Army men broke-up public gatherings at the Ganginarpar area of the city.

Army personnel are also patrolling at the upazila level too, said Mymensingh Deputy Commissioner Md Mizanur Rahman.

The Business Standard's Rangpur correspondent said a total of 600 army people in three units were monitoring eight upazilas. Soldiers in Rangpur also formed an awareness building team led by Lieutenant Colonel Nasir Uddin. 

Meanwhile, soldiers in Cumilla were on duty to emphasise three issues — maintaining social distance, staying home and maintain proper quarantine of people who have returned from abroad.

Army men patrolled three upazilas in Cox's Bazar while navy personnel were monitoring  three other upazilas of the district. Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Kamal Hossain said the armed forces will take effective measures to disperse any public gatherings. 

Meanwhile, more than 200 navy personnel led by Commander Nur-uz-Zaman began working in the Barguna coastal district.

The armed forces have also been deployed at Rangamati, Patuakhali, Magura, Kurigram, Jashore and Bandarban. They will be deployed in Rajshahi and Dinajpur from Thursday.