DMP now seeking volunteers

Dhaka Metropolitan Police is set to go tougher on those who would roam around streets as the number of Covid-19 patients has been ratcheting up in the country.

DMP Commissioner Shafiqul Islam yesterday told The Daily Star that they were looking for some volunteers in every area. They would inform police if they notice anyone wandering purposelessly.

Police would then arrive at the spot and force the violators to go back home, the DMP boss said, adding that law enforcers had been fining 100 to 150 people every day for defying the social-distancing directives.

Earlier on Friday, DMP high-ups held a meeting with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan where they agreed to beef up measures to ensure social distancing.

Sudip Chakraborty, deputy commissioner of police in Gulshan division, said they were also trying to provide all kind of support, including delivering free food to poor and middle-class people.

TEJGAON POLICE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

DMP Tejgaon division is planning to recruit volunteers to deliver food and medicine at people's doorsteps to make them stay at home.

Biplob Bijoy Talukder, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon division, has recently called for volunteers in a Facebook post.

"If we get volunteers based on different areas, then we would develop a system where volunteers would deliver products upon receiving orders," he said.

SHOPS WITHOUT SALESMAN

To reduce crowd at the commodity markets, DMP planning to initiate shops without salesmen in front of the large apartments across the city.

Such shops have already been set up at different points in the Gulshan area.

Customers pick essential items racked with price tags and drop the price in the cash box.

The Gulshan Division Police with the support of a local volunteer group "Hello Shop" has taken the initiative.

Sakhawat Abu Khair Mohammed, President of Gulshan Society, welcomed the move.

"It would be a great initiative," he said.

DMP DC Sudip said they also launched a home delivery service with the assistance of another volunteer group named "Swapno Chaka".

The volunteers receive orders from 10:00am to 4:00pm every day on two hotline numbers -- 01766622202 and 01766622204 – and deliver the products after collecting it from nearby stores.

"We are delivering all kinds of products except fish and meat," KM Abul Hasnat, founder of Swapno Chaka, told this newspaper.