ROAD 79

"We grieve for the fallen, we stand for the bereaved.” On a black banner, roughly a meter in length, these words welcome you at the entrance of the ill-fated road 79 in the capital's Gulshan.

Photo: Naimul Karim

Next to it are two more hangings displaying the pictures of the 20 individuals killed at the Holey Artisan Bakery by the road on July 1.

On the ground lay bouquets of flowers, some old and some new. Heavy rains in the last few days washed away flowers and wreaths that people had laid here in tribute, but then the place was quickly re-occupied by fresh ones.

People come here with flowers almost every day, said one of the security personnel at the road.

“People mostly come in the evenings. Some take photos, some place garlands, spend a minute and then leave.

“Some even want to walk down the road towards the restaurant. But we obviously can't allow that,” he said with a smile.

It might have been a good long month since the horrific attack at the cafe, but if anyone tries to visit the place, a feeling of unease would take over him, almost akin to the sentiment that a majority of Dhaka dwellers felt on July 1.

It was an emotion that was quite obvious on many fronts. Even the journalists who were present there yesterday went about their business quietly and quickly.

There have been several positive steps taken in the last one month. The security checks have been strengthened and many militants' dens busted. But that hasn't dispelled the uncanny feeling one has when he is on road-79.