Locals set on house as 18 members test Covid-19 positive in Narayanganj
'Already 18 people from the family are infected and they are mentally distressed due to this. They need sympathy and support from others at this moment, yet the opposite is coming from people of this area!' said Dr Shilpi
Locals attacked the house of an upazila medical officer at Kutubpur Delpara of Fatullah in Narayanganj Tuesday evening after 18 members of her family tested positive for coronavirus.
Agitated locals threw brickbats and stones at the house of Dr Shilpi Akter.
Later Upazila Nirbahi officer (UNO) of Narayanganj sadar upazila Nahida Barik rushed there and took the situation under control with the help of law enforcers.
The UNO asked the locals to return to their homes and also locked down the house.
She also provided food assistance to the family members and asked them to inform the administration if any further assistance was required.
Confirming the matter, Dr Shilpi Akter told The Business Standard, "Someone threw stones at the house in the evening. I informed police and they already visited the house."
"The local administration has assured me that police and army officials will regularly patrol the area."
"Already 18 people from the family are infected and they are mentally distressed due to this. They need sympathy and support from others at this moment, yet the opposite is coming from people of this area!" Dr Shilpi added.
"Some locals are misleading the locals and trying to create panic among the locals which is very unfortunate," she said.
Narayanganj sadar UNO Nahida Barik said, "Dr Shilpi is taking care of the family members. A seven-year-old child along with 17 others are infected with coronavirus at their home."
"I have urged them to be patient and receive the necessary treatment."
"We have dispersed the unruly people and the markets around the area have been relocated elsewhere", Nahida added.
Fatullah model police station officer-in-charge (OC) Md Aslam Hossain said, "Police were dispatched to the spot but I did not receive any information about stones being thrown."
"I heard that some people were creating disturbance in the area and I sent police officials there. They are currently at the spot and the situation is under control," Aslam added.