Army, police, admin enforce lockdown in Cox’s Bazar red zone

The procession of deaths is getting an extension in Cox's Bazar district for novel coronavirus.

The death list includes journalists, businessmen, professionals and housewives among others, while the number of infected patients is over a thousand.

On June 6, Cox's Bazar municipality was declared the first "red zone" in the country and a lockdown was imposed.

Besides, the municipal area of ​​Chakaria upazila and wards 2, 3 and 6 of Dulahazara union of the upazila were also declared red zones for Covid-19 infection from June 7. From the following day, Teknaf and Ukhiya were declared red zones as well.

The administration has taken strict measures with the army to ensure intensified lockdown in the red zone areas of ​​the district.

Army check points have been set up on major streets in the red zone and military patrols have been stepped up. Police patrols were underway, too. The district administration is coordinating the activities of the forces in the field.

A number of executive magistrates, upazila nirbahi officers and assistant commissioners of land were engaged in the field-level activities.

Major Tanjil, media coordinator of Ramu cantonment, said the areas identified as red zones would remain completely blocked until further notice.

"However, those engaged in emergency services can move on a limited scale. In that case, they have to prove the validity of their purpose. All types of shops and markets will remain closed in the areas," he said.

Only on Sunday and Thursday, following the instructions of the administration, the kitchen market and grocery stores will remain open in compliance with the hygiene rules, said Major Tanjil.

It was found that police checkpoints were also active alongside the army checkpoints at different entrances to Cox's Bazar city.

People who were moving for emergency underwent thorough scrutiny and were permitted to move following proper hygiene rules. However, easy-bikes and autorickshaws were running.

Traffic was light in areas where the frequency of Covid-19 deaths was high. No one was leaving house without extreme emergency.

From Laboni Point of the tourist town to Holiday intersection, Bazarghata, Bus Terminal, Kalur Dokan, Tarabaniyarchhara, Hashemia Madrasah and other areas were almost deserted.

Not only the main road, the bypasses were closed, too.

Army members were interrogating bikers and riders in private cars. They latter were sent back home if they failed to provide satisfactory answers to why they had come out. 

Similarly, the red zones were under strict measures in Chakaria, Teknaf and Ukhiya, said local officials and police.

On the other hand, army members were maintaining temporary checkpoints on the Lohagara-Chakaria border at the entrance to Cox's Bazar. To prevent the spread of Covid-19, they were sterilising vehicles carrying emergency supplies.

Cox's Bazar Deputy Commissioner Kamal Hossain said the lockdown was going on for the second time to protect lives after identifying red zones.

"Earlier, people played hide and seek but now they are serious as they have seen their close relatives dying from coronavirus. Those who are still coming out of house are being sent back," he said.

Regarding food for the poor, Kamal said government assistance would be provided to those who would inform the local administration that there was no food at their home.

"They can use the hotline number. The chiefs of the ward or upazila committees have been instructed to search and deliver food to anyone informing them of their plight," he added.

Kamal further said, "As per the previous rules, vehicles carrying essential goods have been allowed in the locked down areas. So, there will be no shortage of food."  

Major Tanjil said under the overall direction of the prime minister, and with the theme "Your well-being is our desire," distribution of food items and seeds among the unemployed people continued.

"Besides, a free 'army bazaar' is also being run continuously," he said.

"Alongside food aid, the army is running medical camps in many places in Cox's Bazar. Army doctors, nurses and other personnel are risking their lives to deal with coronavirus," he added.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Cox's Bazar exceeded one thousand by Sunday afternoon while several thousand people have symptoms. More than 25 journalists, businessmen and people of various professions have died in different hospitals, including Cox's Bazar Sadar Hospital, while undergoing treatment.