Police on Saturday arrested 481 people in Dhaka for violating lockdown restrictions on the ninth day of the 14-day countrywide strict lockdown.
The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.
Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk2,06,710 as fines from 202 people.
Besides, the Traffic Division collected Tk10,45,000 as penalties from 440 vehicles for failing to comply with the lockdown restrictions.
Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka, following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on August 1.
Those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories, were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown.
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They were found walking into the capital through Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge, Ashulia bridge, Aminbazar bridge, Gabtoli, Babubazar bridge and Postogola bridge.
Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj also saw a huge crowd as people from the south-western districts were coming back to Dhaka to join their work.
However, the streets in Dhaka saw a lower number of private vehicles as Saturday is a public holiday.
Only a few private cars were found visiting Gabtoli, Technical Intersection, Kamalapur, Shyamoli, Asadgate, New Market and Mirpur areas and Uttara, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali, Airport, Satrasta, Kakrail, Matshya Bhaban.
Traffic inspector (Mohakhali) Asaduzzaman said: “Today is a weekly holiday and that’s why the number of private vehicles and people’s movement in the city are relatively fewer than the working days. Law enforcement agencies are on alert and mobile court drives are operating.”
However, three-wheeler rickshaws were also thin on roads.
Members of the police, RAB and BGB were seen patrolling the city streets and checking vehicles at check posts in different parts of Dhaka.
Re-imposed at 8am on July 23, the second round of strict lockdown will be in force till August 5, unless extended further.
