Police arrested 481 people in Dhaka  for violating lockdown restrictions on the 9th day of the 14-day countrywide strict lockdown on Saturday

The arrestees failed to show any valid reason for coming out on the streets, said DMP Additional Deputy Commissioner (media) Iftekharul Islam.

Meanwhile, mobile courts collected Tk 2,06,710  as fines from  202 people.

Besides, the Traffic Division collected Tk 10,45,000 as penalties from 440 vehicles for failing to comply with coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

Although public transport movement remained suspended, thousands of people started returning to Dhaka, following the government’s announcement that mills and factories will reopen on Sunday (Aug 1).

Read: Covid kills 218 more in Bangladesh as its catastrophe continues

Those who had left the capital for Eid-ul-Azha and did not return due to the closure of factories were seen entering the city on foot amid the lockdown.

They were found walking into the capital through Abdullahpur Tongi Bridge, Ashulia Bridge, Aminbazar Bridge, Gabtoli, Babubazar Bridge and Postogola Bridge.

Shimulia ferry terminal in Munshiganj also saw a huge crowd as people from south western districts were coming back to the capital to join their work.

However, the streets in Dhaka saw a lower   number of private vehicles as Saturday is a public holiday.

Visiting Gabtoli, Technical Intersection, Kamalapur, Shyamoli, Asadgate, New Market and Mirpur areas and Uttara, Abdullahpur, Banani, Mohakhali, Airport, Satrasta, Kakrail, Matshya Bhaban, the UNB correspondent found only a few private cars.

Traffic inspector (Mohakhali) Asaduzzaman, said, “Today is a weekly holiday and that’s why the number of private vehicles and people’s movement in the city are relatively fewer than the working days. Law enforcement agencies are on alert and mobile court drives are operating.”

Read: People find 'easy excuses' to defy lockdown in Dhaka

However, three-wheeler rickshaws were also thin on roads.

Members of the police, Rab and BGB were seen patrolling the city streets and checking vehicles at check posts in different parts of the capital.

Re-imposed at 8 am on July 23, the second round of strict lockdown will be in force till August 5, unless extended further.