Kornai Bazar in Sadar upazila where BNP and Jamaat-Shibir men vandalised and torched at least 50 shops belonging to Hindus on the election day on January 5 still gives a deserted look.
The market is yet to get back its life as the affected Hindus could not rebuild their damaged shops to start afresh even after 15 days of attack for want of money.
BNP and Jamaat-Shibir activists swooped on the market in the evening, looted, vandalised and set fire to the shops of Hindus for allegedly casting votes, ignoring the polls boycott call of the 18-party alliance.
Locals said, the opposition activists damaged 50 out of 58 shops at the market, badly affecting at least 155 Hindu families.
Liton Chandra Roy, a medicine shop owner, alleged that the criminals vandalised and looted his shop during the attack. He said about Tk one lakh is needed to restart his business.
Shyamol Chandra Roy, another shop owner, said the January 5 incident still haunts them.
“We return home before sunset, fearing fresh attack by Jamaat-Shibir men,” he added.
On the other hand, suspension of business at Kornai Bazar has also mounted the sufferings of the people of 10 to 12 villages in the area. They now have to go to Bansher Haat, two km from Kornai, to purchase essential commodities.
However, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has so far repaired 12 shops at the bazar.
Besides, classes at Kornai Government Primary School near the market has remained suspended since January 5 as a temporary police camp has been set up there to ensure security of local Hindus.
