A lockdown has been imposed in the capital’s East Rajabazar neighbourhood, after the area was declared as a Covid-19 red zone.
Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and the police have been strictly controlling people’s movement in the area.
After visiting East Rajabazar, Dhaka Tribune saw that out of its eight entry/exit points, only the entrance beside the IBA hostel was open.
However, no one except journalists, doctors, and nurses in the area are being allowed to enter or exit through that road.
In the meantime, local people and residents of the area have shown mixed reactions about the lockdown.
After the lockdown was imposed, some people on Wednesday morning were seen gathering at the closed gate of the lane, beside IBA hostel, as they wanted to go to work.
Some of the office goers claimed that the lane fell under Green Road, thus, it should not be under imposed lockdown area. But the police did not allow them to leave.
They are not supposed to be stopped here. Due to the closure, many people and offices inside are suddenly locked down without any preparation, they said.
A pregnant woman living in East Rajabazar was allowed to enter the area and also a rickshaw was allowed to take an elderly citizen to hospital.
Except for emergency matters, no one else was permitted to enter or leave the area.
Many appreciated the initiative of the red zone being put under complete lockdown.
The volunteers in the area were seen supervising and assisting the locals in various matters on the instructions of the local councillor. Around 40 volunteers were seen working on day one of the lockdown.
Shuvo, among other several volunteers, said those who needed to go out or enter were verified by members of police administration and then were given a pass. They are working according to the instructions.
Several disinfected vans with vegetables, fruits and other daily essentials were seen roaming inside East Razabazar. Residents inside the area can buy necessities at a fair price from there, the volunteers said.
Some people complained that they have been put under lockdown there and have to stay inside the area for 14-21 days.
But according to the current situation, nobody ensured them that they will not be infected with Covid-19 in future, after the lockdown is lifted.
So they think that this is not the right way to impose a lockdown. We should be working or thinking in a coordinated manner about lockdown, they said.
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Sanjit Kumar, who is working in East Rajabazar area, said there was a bit of pressure from people during office hours in the morning. “However, no one was allowed to exit the area and all of them were sent back to their homes.
“We are only allowing journalists, doctors, and nurses from the residents of this area to come out and enter. Apart from this, no one from any other profession is being allowed to go out,” he said.
“But, we will consider matters in case of an emergency,” he added.