How is the lockdown working in Narayanganj 'Red Zones'?

Lockdown in "Red zone" areas of Narayanganj is being maintained in a relaxed way as people are moving in and out of the area frequently. 

Earlier on Sunday, the district administration locked down three areas of the district for 14 days, marking them as 'Red zone.'

The areas are Amlapara and Jamtola of Narayanganj city and Rupayan Town under Fatullah Police Station of Sadarupazila.

Movements have been restricted by putting bamboo poles and hanging a lockdown sign at the entrances of the areas. In addition, no vehicles are being allowed to enter the zone.

Police check posts have been set up at each entrance of the lockdown areas. However, locals are frequently going in and out of the areas, flouting the lockdown. 

Shahidul Islam, assistant sub inspector (ASI) on duty at Zakir Super Market Point in Amla Para area of the city, said that those going out of the lockdown area were barred but they were leaving the area defying the police obstruction and making excuses for emergencies. 

Another ASI Abdur Rashid, on duty police on the Shwapner Vor main road of the Amlapara, said, "There are seven to eight clinics in Amplapara and President areas. Many are entering these areas saying they want to see doctors."  

Similar situation has been seen in Jamtola and Rupayan Town in the city. Police are on duty at the entrances of the two red zones, but people are defying the lockdown citing urgencies.

Afzal Hossain, a resident of Rupayan Town, said, "The district administration announced that daily necessities would be delivered to house by van. But the van was not seen anywhere. So I had to go out and do the shopping." 

A team of Army, led by magistrate of the district administration, was seen in Amlapara trying to make people aware using megaphone. 

The team was asking everyone not to go out of their houses without a reason. 

In this regard, Narayanganj Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Jasim Uddin said, "We will explain to the people about the Covid-19 risky areas for one or two days to make them aware.

"The Ministry of Health was supposed to issue a guideline on what can be done and what not in the lockdown areas. That is why initially we are trying to make people aware without taking any action."

"We will start to take action once we receive the guidelines," the deputy commissioner added.