86 বাংলাদেশের স্বাধীনতা যুদ্ধ দলিলপত্রঃ চতুর্দশ খন্ড Business and trade in East Pakistan is largely in the hands of Biharis, who are a small minority among the local Bengalis. The latter are mostly Moslems, but there is a substantial Hindu minority. Resentment, on the part of many impoverished Bengalis toward the somewhat more prosperous Biharis was a factor in the Bengali separatist movement in the recent conflict. The impression, based on hundreds of interviews, is that when it seemed that the Awami League was about to come to power, Bengalis in some communities slaughtered the Biharis and looted and burned their homes. The Bengalis in, the national army revolted to join the separatists. When the predominantly Punjabi army of West Pakistan smashed its way into the eastern wing, it had ready allies among the Biharis, most of who were spoiling for revenge: The magnitude of the slaughter that followed has sickened most observers. As a result of the violence, most of the Bengalis and nearly all of the large Hindu minority in towns such as this one, have fled. Here the block of buildings making up the main market, area of the city lies smashed, apparently by mortar fire from army units that took the town April 14. Some five-story buildings with ornately decorated wooden balconies still stand in the area, but some of them have their upper floors in ruins from the shelling. Much of the city, however, is untouched by shellfire, and bicycle rickshaws and street vendors have begun once more to ply the streets. The town again has its water, electricity and communications, and even a complaint bureau.
