Bangladesh
Lockdown Lockdown goes for a toss as check posts allow free movement of vehicles
Dhaka, July 8: On the eighth day of strict restrictions, imposed to to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, check points on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in the Jatrabari area were relaxed. In the early days of the ban, almost every vehicle in the check points were interrogated before being allowed to pass.
Some check points remained largely empty. Traffic police officers or constables were seen sitting around talking. Vehicles moved freely through these check posts. The number of vehicles on this highway was also much higher. The movement of people has also increased. However, some strictures have been observed at the Shanir Akhra check post on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway.
A check post has been set up at Rayerbagh on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway in Jatrabari area from the first day of the ban on entry and exit from Dhaka. In the early days there were strictures at this checkpost. But in two posts on Thursday from 9:30 am to 10:15 am, it was seen that no vehicle had to face the police check, as they moved freely.
Lots of private cars, microbuses, trucks, covered vans and rickshaws were seen plying on this highway. Some CNG-powered autorickshaws were also seen running.
Demra Traffic Zone Sergeant Sheikh Emran Hossain was sitting with two traffic constables in a tong room near the check post on the north side of the highway in Rayerbagh (outside Dhaka).
"Our main check point at the exit is in the Sonir Akhra area, and the main check point at the entrance is in the Kuba Mosque area of Signboard. We also check here. But the original checks are there. We are at the check post," he said.
Two traffic constables were also seen sitting under the passenger tent at the check post on the south side.
There was some stricture at the Sonir Akhra check post. However, the high traffic flow made it challenging for the workers keeping order. Due to this many vehicles had to be allowd without any interrogation.
Assistant Commissioner of Police of Jatrabari Traffic Zone Md. Tariqul Islam Masud said, "At the checkpost we have three lines for three types of vehicles to facilitate checking. Traffic has increased slightly than before. Some institutions are also opening. We are not obstructing those who are supposed to move according to government instructions. We are detaining and registering a case against the others."
