Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud has said reports of people being harassed by the members of law enforcement agencies while going out for important reasons, is a matter of regret as there has not been any countrywide lockdown.
"No lockdown has been imposed in the country.... people can go out if necessary. It's very regretful that people face harassment when they come out to the streets. Police were not asked to do so," he said, reports UNB.
The Information Minister made the remarks during a live Facebook press conference from his official residence in the capital.
Dr Mahmud said the people of the country responded overwhelmingly to the call of the Prime Minister and are staying at home to prevent the COVID-19 spread.
He said the government and the administration suggested people not to roam on the streets unnecessarily.
The police headquarters on Thursday instructed all its field-level officials that people can go out if required and suggested the officials to convince people to go back to their residences if they go out unnecessarily, Dr Mahmud added.
The Information Minister criticised Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for thousands of its supporters gathering together to meet former prime minister Khaleda Zia amid nationwide practice of social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"BNP displayed nothing other than its utter irresponsibility by allowing thousands of people to gather together," he said, adding that following the release of Khaleda Zia, thousands of people gathered in front of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) hospital, and in front of her residence in Gulshan and on her way to the house.
BNP did it when people of the country were staying home and everyone was doing what was possible on his or her part to follow the instructions to fight the global pandemic of coronavirus, said Dr Mahmud.
"These gatherings happened when all the programmes of the Independence Day, including the placing of wreaths at the National Memorial, were cancelled," he added.
Mentioning that the world is facing a pandemic, he said they do not want to see the political blame-game at this time of disaster.
"We rather hope all political parties will stand united to face the crisis. We hope all, including BNP and other political parties, will remain united and we'll be able to face this massive disaster with collective efforts," he said.
Until now, Bangladesh has recorded a total of 48 Covid-19 cases and reported five deaths.
