Bangladesh police officers turn to yoga in times of coronavirus pandemic

Nearly 10 per cent of the total coronavirus infections have hit the police in Bangladesh and now to boost their health and keep the deadly virus away, the cops are performing yoga.

The police have played a vital role in enforcing the nationwide lockdown across the country that was lifted at the end of May.

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However, 6,000 police officers across the country have also been by COVID-19, out of which 19 cops have lost their lives.

In the capital Dhaka, as many as 1,850 policemen contracted the disease, and 10 died, as per government figures.

"They are playing a vital role staying on the streets to maintain law and order," Rajon Kumar Saha, a spokesman for Dhaka police's diplomatic security division said.

This security division was also behind the initiative of organising yoga sessions for police officials on Sunday.

"We were instructed to do what could be done to morally boost the force amid this crisis. This yoga is a part of that mission for us," Saha said, adding that up to 1,200 policemen will take part in the sessions.

Shama Makhing, a yoga teacher who led nearly 100 officers in stretching and breathing exercises early on Monday, said that the yoga would help cops maintain their physical and mental strength.

"They cannot skip duty," Makhing said, adding, "therefore it is important for the policemen to be fit. Yoga... can help them with their breathing."

The unit's deputy chief Muhit Kabir Sarneabat said police were mulling over introducing yoga and other physical exercises for policemen in other divisions.