Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday said the ongoing lockdown should be withdrawn immediately as it is not possible to achieve anything from such restrictions without ensuring people’s food security.
In a statement, he also urged the government to distribute relief materials immediately to ease the sufferings of the poor and day-labourers.
Also read: Covid-19: Bangladesh records 88 deaths, 3629 new cases
“It’s not possible to reap any benefit from the lockdown without ensuring food security. As there’re crores of people who live from hand to mouth in the country, they have to come out of their homes to save their lives,” the Jatiya Party chief said.
He said the working people are silently going through immense sufferings due to the lockdown enforced by the government on April 14. “The low-income people are suffering unbearably as they have become jobless."
Also read: Lockdown: Shops, shopping malls to reopen from Apr 25
GM Quader said common people are facing financial fines for coming out of their homes in search of work. “Overburdened with debt, the common people also can’t share their ordeals with anyone.”
Referring to different studies, he said around 2.5 crore people have become poor due to the adverse impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. “So, the financial assistance announced by the Prime Minister for those who affected by the lockdown is absolutely inadequate.”
Also read: Govt issues circular extending lockdown until April 28
He called upon the government to provide necessary financial assistance to the people affected by the coronavirus.
“I also urge the government to ease the lockdown. If it's possible, the lockdown should be completely withdrawn," the Jatiya Party chairman added.