Ctg traders protest market closure

Businesspeople from different Chattogram markets staged a demonstration in front of New Market in the city on the first day of the second phase lockdown, demanding the opportunity to continue their businesses and markets open at least for a limited time.

They hold a procession around 3:30 in the area and said they will incur huge losses if their businesses remained closed just a week before the fasting month of Ramadan.

“Businessman staged a demonstration in the afternoon. We rushed to the spot and convinced them to follow the government order,” M Nezam Uddin, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Police Station said.

The protesters also gathered in front of the Hathazari UNO office and sought permission from the authorities to keep open their shops.

“We had a meeting with businessmen and made them understand that the lockdown was imposed for public health safely,” M Ruhul Amin, UNO of Hathazari Upazila said.

From Monday morning, the port city like other parts of the country saw an enforced lockdown by the government while markets and public transports were closed.

Only rickshaws and other private vehicles were seen on the road. Kitchen Market and commodity shops were open on the day.