Three days after 21 bomb blasts claimed at least 50 lives in this commercial hub of Gujarat, people returned to their offices on Tuesday, students rushed to schools and colleges, and shopkeepers reopened their stores.
The day began on a bright note after Monday's heavy rains. "It seems
as if the almighty has washed away our tears with the rain," said Sattarbhai, owner of a pan shop in the Khanpur area of Ahmedabad.
Residents flocked newspaper stalls to learn new details of Saturday's bomb blasts, which killed at least 50 people and injured 200. Sketches of the bomb blasts suspects were printed in various newspapers.
Halim Shaikh, Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) activist from Uttar Pradesh, was detained by the police Sunday for interrogation. Officials said the arrest of three suspects from Surendranagar could provide some vital clues. The three were picked up soon after the blasts and handed over to the Ahmedabad police crime branch on Monday.
Meanwhile, "life is limping back to normalcy but we must not become relaxed and be caught napping again", said Daulatbhai Mochi, a cobbler who reopened his small shop on Ashram Road Tuesday. "We should never forget the pain of those who lost their near and dear ones."
Most Ahmedabad residents said they felt safer due to the presence of the army. However, in the old city area, people were still full of apprehension.
"The city is yet to completely bounce back to normalcy," said Vinod, a resident of Raipur Darwaja area of the old city.