Ferries carrying thousands of passengers and ambulances were seen operating on Shimulia-Bangabazar route this morning.  

Meanwhile, one platoon of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has been deployed at Munshiganj's Shimulia ferry ghat to control the rush of holidaymakers.

Md Asaduzzaman, additional superintendent of police (Louhajang and Sreenagar circle), said thy have set up a check-post at Shimulia intersection to assist police in tackling the heavy rush of passengers.

Photo: Star

Ferries are transporting passengers, ambulances and vehicles carrying patients and dead bodies.

Personal vehicles and trucks are not being allowed to board the ferries.

At present, there are 350 goods-laden vehicles in Shimulia ghat area, waiting to cross the river.

Md Hilal Uddin, Mawa traffic police inspector, said a ferry left Shimulia for Banglabazar with seven ambulances around 7:40am. Another ferry left around 9:55am.

Two ferries reached Shimulia from Banglabazar.

Meantime, 12 trawlers have been seized from different points near Shimulia for carrying passengers, violating the government instructions, said Mawa Naval Police In-charge Sirajul Kabir.

At least 20 trawler drivers were also detained, he said.

Our Manikganj correspondent reports, ferry services are suspended on Paturia-Daulatdia routes but some ferries are operating to transport ambulance carrying patients.

Besides, some light vehicles and passengers are also being allowed to cross the river.

No BGB team has been seen in the ghat area since this morning.

Md Firoz Kabir, officer-in-charge of Shimulia Police Station, said 40 policemen have been deployed at Paturia ghat.

Zillur Rahman, deputy general manager of Aricha regional office of BIWTC, said ferry movement remains suspended as per the instruction of the government.