Tangail municipality’s Ward 12 Councillor Aminur Rahman Amin has taken a very hands-on approach to ensure social distancing and lockdown in Tangail.
A video which hit the social media on Tuesday, showed Aminur charging baton on people who were out wandering the streets without proper reason in various areas of the city. Later, Aminur led awareness campaigns to keep people at home at all times.
While the upazila administration does not approve of his methods, many have sided with the ward councillor’s strict measures.
Contacted, Aminur Rahman Amin told Dhaka Tribune that people of the district seem to be unaffected by the gravity of the pandemic that is sweeping the world. “I saw people wandering the streets without any good reason violating the administrative directive that was imposed earlier in the day.”
“I had acted to ensure social distancing and so that people don’t wander the streets for no reason. If I have hurt anyone in the process, I apologize for the inconvenience and hope they forgive me.”
The district administration will provide necessary support during the lockdown period, he added.
Tangail Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Atiqul Islam said: “I’m unaware of the matter. But, hitting people is never legal. However, the ward councillor may conduct awareness campaigns in this regard.”
Earlier in the day, the district administration imposed a district-wide lockdown in Tangail in a bid to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The lockdown came into effect from 4pm on Tuesday.
