More than 24 hours after an IED went off near the Panchratna building, the venue lies deserted.

It is almost 10 pm and way beyond the market's business hours, but the silence that has fallen on the area is deafening.

A few hours ago, the area was bustling with activity. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi had visited it along with the PM's cavalcade of over 60 cars.

The area had been cordoned off and continues to remain so. An L-shaped partition keeps it protected from the public gaze. Somewhat

ironically, the temporary partition is made of cloth often used to erect pandals for weddings and other auspicious occasions.

A stray policeman walks up and down the length of the street. He is dressed in a bright fluorescent yellow raincoat that reads 'Police' on the back.

Before he disappears around the corner, he chats briefly with three State Reserve Police Force, Group VII, jawans.

The road is desolate again.

An incessant drizzle has been showing signs of getting stronger. The jawans and I share a few words. For most part, the four of us sit in silence and watch the plastic covered crater and listen to the rain.

Text and Photo: Abhishek Mande