Shops around Baitul Mukarram Shopping Complex, which were gutted during Hefazat-e-Islam’s May 5 “Dhaka siege,” are reverting to normal as vendors slowly return to their usual business activities.
Many of the vendors, determined to get back to business, have renovated their establishments and brought in goods to attract customers with help from the government.
During a visit to the area yesterday, this correspondent found wayside sellers displaying clothes, books, stationery and other items – with a smile on their faces.
The drizzle meant there were fewer customers than normal. But the sellers, most of whom come from outside the city and have families to take care of, are hoping that business will pick up soon.
Din Mohammad, who has a clothing store, said: “After that day, I felt extremely helpless as I have loans to pay, a family to provide for and other expenses that I cannot take care of without this business. But now I have opened the store again, with the Tk50,000 compensation given by the government and money from other sources.”
He added: “I even had to sell a piece of land in my village.”
According to a Dhaka Tribune report, during the Hefazat rally, at least 200 wayside shops were burned down between the General Post Office and Baitul Mukarram Shopping Complex. Several shops around the Bangladesh Shangbad Shanstha office were also gutted.
Last week, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over cheques of Tk50,000 to 333 roadside vendors to help them start their businesses again and recoup their losses.
Mohammad Abul Mobarrak, who used to sell cosmetic products, said the money from the government was very helpful. “The fire cost me over Tk300,000. Though it is impossible to recover the entire loss, the cheque will be very useful. I am now trying to collect some more money and restart the business.”
He said: “I don’t blame anyone but my luck. Luck wasn’t in my favour. But hopefully, Allah will help me to start all over again and support my family.”
The president of Baitul Mukarram South Gate Small Business Association, Mohammad Jahangir Mia, said the compensatory cheques were a great help.
“Thanks to the prime minister, we have now at least something to start with. We need more money that will have to be collected from other sources. Some have already managed to amass enough to start their ventures while others are still trying. By Allah’s will, everything will be normal soon,” he said.
