The number of criminal activities in the capital city has declined dramatically as most city dwellers are now staying indoors amid closure of most offices, shopping malls, shops and educational institutions after the government announced a general holiday to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus.   The government announced public holiday from March 29 to April 2 with the deployment of army personnel for limiting public gatherings and mass transports. Later, the holiday was extended to April 9.   A senior official of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said crimes, such as murder, rape, robbery, theft and other petty activities fell to its lowest point since independence.   DMP’s Deputy Commissioner (Media) Masudur Rahman told UNB that overall recorded crimes have decreased dramatically in the capital. “I think this is the first time since independence that crimes are this low,” he said.