Seven days after the clash between locals and Rajshahi University students, Binodpur bazar has started to return to normal.
Most of the shops in the bazar were seen opening since Friday morning.
The shop owners said Binodpur Bazar Samiti held a discussion with the university administration under the initiative of the Rajshahi mayor and decided to open shops on Friday.
Vandalized shops were being repaired; however, the burned shops on the north side of the bazar were seen at the same state.
Hridoy Hossain, a local shopkeeper, said: “I opened our shop after five days. The clash caused minor damage to our store. Some fruits were spoiled because we could not open the shops. Other than that, everything is fine. Hopefully, the situation will return to normal soon.”
Sanjeebul Haque, another small trader, said he opened his shop on Thursday evening.
“The mayor and other leaders asked us to open the shop. Luckily, most of the goods in our store are wholesale products. That is why we faced no customer shortage,” he said.
Shahidul Islam, president of Binodpur Bazar Samiti, said: “We want the same relationship with the students as we had before. We had a meeting with the mayor and asked the shopkeepers to open their stores.”
The Pro Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University Prof Md Sultan-Ul-Islam said: “Classes and exams are being conducted without any problem, including the official work.”
“We already had a discussion with the local hostel landlords and the traders of the Binodpur bazar. The safety of the students was discussed as well. We hope the situation will soon be back to normal,” he added.
More than 200 people, including campus journalists, were injured in a clash that broke out between Rajshahi University students, and locals on March 11.
The clash allegedly took place over bus seats.
One person has been arrested in connection with the incident.
