Even though the ferry is closed during the day time, the Mawoa-Shimulia ferry terminal has started to become crowded with homebound people coming out of the capital city Dhaka. No one is following the strict guard of the police to stop the movement of homebound people at the ferry terminal. On the way, after crossing two police check posts, people leaving the capital for home are reaching the ferry terminal by alternative route from dawn.
At 6:40 a.m. on Sunday, the Shimulia ferry terminal was spotted on the spot, with the police check post adjacent to the wharf being guarded by a Superintendent of Police. No one is allowed to enter the wharf except freight transport. Still, people are walking towards the ghat like a long caravan.
Insan Ali, a policeman on duty at the Mawoa-Shimulia Ghat police check post, said the administration was in a tough position today. No one will be allowed to go to the ghat.
Earlier, passengers heading towards Mawoa had to face another check post in Srinagar of Munshiganj. A policeman on duty at the Express Highway check said no transport would be allowed to reach Mawoa Ghat. All kinds of transport have been blocked here since dawn.
A person named Palash Haldar, who was waiting to cross Padma, said, "I came here after Azan." The ferry left a middle river. If you don't leave the ferry, it will be difficult to go home. Trawler, speedboat, nothing is going on. He is still waiting if there is any arrangement.
Nazneen Sultana, a female passenger, said, "I came here in various vehicles after being interrogated by the police.” Now I don't know how to cross the Padma. But I have to go home.
It has been seen on the spot that people are reaching the terminal from Dhaka in various vehicles including private cars, rented motor bikes, CNG, mini- pickups. Passengers have to pay extra for these vehicles.
Till writing this report, a ferry has been parked on the river near the pier. Home-bound passengers were also seen waiting on the ferry.
Although the BGB was supposed to be deployed to stop the homebound people, no presence of the force was noticed at the terminal at 7 am.