Basirhat, July 8: Mohammed Rahim Sardar had not opened his shop for two days. The small-time lottery tickets and computer peripherals seller in Basirhat's Moilakhola returned this morning, to pick up the pieces, literally.
Rahim's shop - RS Agency - had been vandalised by a mob on Thursday. Today, he was back, trying to get back to normal life, as did many others in communal strife-torn Basirhat in North 24-Parganas.
"I don't know from where to start. But I have to, that is all I know," he said, rummaging through a heap of ransacked items inside the 10ftx4ft shop he set up a few years ago. The signboard bearing the shop name lay damaged next to him.
"We have never lived as two different communities. I played an important role in the marriage of a Hindu friend's daughter. When I was setting up my shop, many Hindu friends had helped me," Rahim said.
Across parts of Moilakhola, Bhyabla, Notun Bazar, Puraton Bazar and Mayer Bazar, many like Rahim returned to their shops today, some resuming business for the first time since the trouble began on July 2.
Banks and ATM counters remained closed because of security concerns, as were schools and colleges. Several shops remained shut. But knots of people were seen at tea stalls and vegetable markets early in the morning. Public transport such as vans, matadors and e-rickshaws were back on the main thoroughfares.
Residents heaved a sigh of relief. Life, at last, was returning to normal.
"Most of us realise that we need to get back to the usual rhythm. Things are fragile and it would take time," said Madan Ghosh of Kalibari Para. "But we don't want politicians to come here. Basirhat can handle its own problem without these leaders."
Across parts of Dandihat, Karmakarpara, Ghori Bari and Anantapur, the same refrain was heard - we don't want politicians here. Many people believe the tensions would have eased earlier had it not been for a section of politicians.
BSF troops patrolled the area on trucks led by commanders in hoodless jeeps. In some areas, officers stood on the jeeps holding AK-47 rifles and blowing whistles.
The district administration today held a meeting with local traders and assured them of all support so that they could resume business. Police officers said there would be no random arrests, as many in Basirhat fear.
"In most places, baby food is not available. We have decided that the supply of these products will be restored immediately," said Sambhu Saha, secretary of the Basirhat Distributors' Association.
Bus associations have been asked to resume services.
The police will tomorrow meet representatives of all the communities to plan a "peace walk" across Basirhat with members of local clubs joining in.
"The residents are doing their best to make life normal.... We are just trying to facilitate the process," a senior district official said.