Bangladesh, July 10 -- Cumilla's historic Birchandra Public Library and Town Hall have remained out of use two years after they were damaged in an attack and arson following the fall of the Awami League government.

Renovation work on the nearly 150-year-old library and auditorium, a landmark of the Samatata heritage -- a term referencing the ancient Buddhist kingdom and archaeological legacy of the greater Cumilla region -- began a year ago but the building remains unusable.

Once buzzing with political, social and cultural events, the auditorium now sits silent.

The library's book cabinets have been repaired and repainted, but the shelves remain empty, with readers left flipping through daily newspapers at dust-covered tables.

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