THE adverse economic impact of lockdown on people has already become visible in different areas. We fear the severity would be multiplied when over one lakh jobless Bangladeshi migrant workers have returned home in only one month. The number would increase in the course of time. These returnees would fight for jobs in the domestic labour market, which is already mired by huge unemployment. Poor people in many places have been involved in skirmishes with the aid providers and looted relief materials in some areas. Besides, the needy people are also crowding around bazaars and super shops to beg livelihood. The sudden jobless situation and reduced income has pushed hundreds of lower-middle class people into poverty. The poor become more helpless. On Sunday, locals looted a truck loaded with 570 sacks of rice at Kaliganj Bazar in Sylhet after raising allegation that a dealer involved with the programme was conspiring to misappropriate the subsidised staple. On 13 April, poor and unemployed looted relief materials in Jamalpur and Kushtia.
Facing the threat of starvation and in dire need for relief items, people from low-income groups have been demonstrating for many days in Chattogram, Rangpur, Narayanganj, Gazipur and Savar. Hundreds of people, driven by hunger and desperation, organised several protests and human chains for the past few days. But what’s most important is that in many areas number of crimes has been increased. Reports published in the media that not only there was a rise in theft, burglary, robbery like petty crimes but also hardcore crimes such as dacoity, gang fight and murder have also been increased. Side by side, the number of domestic violence has also increased significantly where several women were killed allegedly by their husbands or in-laws. Presently, the reasons behind most of the crimes are economy related. As there is no money in the hands of limited-income group people, they are largely getting involved in violent activities and other crimes.
There is no other solution but to ensure supply of food and money to the people who are under shutdown. They need money to buy medicines and other essentials, apart from arranging meal.
