The entire Rajshahi city virtually turned empty due to strict lockdown enforced from Wednesday morning. All the city streets looked vacant throughout the day except for the movement of a number of rickshaws, motor-bikes and vehicles for emergency services.
All the markets of the city also remained closed and an unusual calm situation is being prevailed elsewhere in the city due to the lockdown. The ever busy city streets and the crossings took a new look with no hustle-bustle of weary people and the movement of the trumpeting vehicles.
A complete silence was observed at the ever-busy Shahid AHM Kamruzzaman square, Seroil Bus Terminal. Rajshahi Railway station, New Market, Shehz Bazaar and the Zero point of the city today. All the shops except the drug stores and grocers' were seen to remain closed.
Police personnel were seen to take positions in all important city points. People coming out of their houses are being quizzed by police. In case of emergency, police are allowing them to go with a warning to return homes as soon as possible. Police have also been deployed in all three entrances of the city including at the Aam Chattar, Kantakhali and Kasiadanga points. They were controlling entrance of any vehicles inside the city.
To check the further escalation of Coronavirus among people, the government has enforced an eight-day long lockdown; throughout the country from Wednesday morning. Under the lockdown period, all government, non-government organisations, offices and public transports excepting the emergency services will remain closed.
Abu Aslam, Additional District Magistrate of Rajshahi informed, the lockdown is being implemented as announced by the government. Any one moving outside without any proper reason might be punished through the mobile court. That is why, excepting emergency purposes, he called upon everyone to stay at home.