Curse Of The Tonhi!

Hello Friends and readers, how are you all doing? First of all, I would like to congratulate all of you on the 75th Year of our Independence! As we all know, we are celebrating 75 glorious years of Indian Independence. We have come a long way from 1947! The list of our achievements and successes is endless. The latest one to be added is the exemplary performance given by our athletes in the Commonwealth Games at Birmingham! What more proof does the world need?

However, despite all these achievements, there are still certain practices and rituals which still take place in states and villages of our country which are symbolic of the pre-historic ages. One such practice is witch-hunting! There are still villages and remote places in India where this despicable practice persists. Out of the latest reports, as recent as 2016-2017, many women in the villages of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh etc were murdered because they were claimed to be witches. So much so, that even families of these purported witches are forced to comply with the majority of the locality. Friends, we would truly be free when we get rid of these superstitions and barbaric traditions. So, friends, on this glorious 75th Year of Independence, let’s take a pledge to strive harder to eradicate all the social evils that are plaguing our society. Only then, can we be truly independent!

My following story, although is a work of fiction, is based on this social evil which claims the lives of many innocent poor tribal and rural women and men every year. Although this is just a fictional story, its basis is on factual events that are taking place right at this very moment when we are speaking!

So here it goes.

There is a village in Gadarwara, in Narsimhapur. With a population of 1,700 people, the village of Gadarwara was approximately 125 kilometres from any urban area, and thus it was considered to be a remote area of Madhya Pradesh. Though it was in a remote location, the people of Gadarwara village were known for their hospitality, kindness, warm-heartedness and helpful behaviour. In this village lived an old lady named Shanti Amma. Though her real name was Shanti Singh, people lovingly and out of respect had given her this nickname.

Shanti amma was a kind 65-year-old lady who lived alone but was a quite popular person. Anyone could approach her at any point in time and she would do her best to give her help to people who needed most of her advice, counsel and support. Though Shanti amma was a well-to-do lady, still this did not deter her from people who came to her for financial help. She never asked or demanded that money be returned to her. Another quality of hers was she also used to help people in dire need like when someone was too sick or injured, or if someone needed help in emergency cases like pregnant women. She was a guide, mentor, midwife, counsellor, friend and in general, a good human being. There was also another side to the amiable, loving and helping personality of Shanti amma. A dark side!

She was also the witch doctor of the village! Though she never used her knowledge and skills for any negative reason; rather, she always used them for the betterment of her people. 

“Shanti amma, my son is sick for the last so many days.” Madho, a villager cried in front of her when he came asking for her help.

“What’s wrong?” Shanti amma enquired.

“I don’t know. He was okay 3-4 days ago. But he played in the rain drenching himself. Since that day his fever is not coming down.” Madho replied.

“Have you taken him to a doctor?” asked Shanti amma.

“Yes. Even the doctor is not able to ascertain what’s wrong with him.” cried Madho.

“The medicines are not working. I have even taken him to the government dispensary but again the treatment is of no use.” Madho said desperately.

“Okay, today, I will go to your place and see what’s wrong.” Said Shanti amma.

The next day, she went to Madho’s house.

She inspected his son of 12 years.

She was aghast at just looking at him!

His eyes were sunken, his cheekbones had come out. Even his skin colour had paled.

Shanti amma was most distressed to see a healthy, vibrant child pining away like a dried-out leaf!

She immediately understood the reason behind it. Though she did not mention it aloud in front of the boy’s mother, but called Madho to a side and said:

“It’s an affliction which is beyond doctors and medical science.”

When Madho looked perplexed.

She said, “Someone has put a spell on your child!”

Madho was taken aback. Who could have done that? He did not have any enmity with anyone in the village. Rather, he used to be very helpful and cheerful in helping out others.

“Did you pick up a fight with anybody recently?” She asked.

Madho looked confused and said “No amma, I did not,”

Shanti amma could immediately understand the situation and said

“Come tonight at midnight. I will give you something which will help your child.”

“Though I cannot promise anything this will neutralise the negative effects of the evil spell put on your child.” She affirmed.

Madho was more than happy to hear this and said he would be there.

One thing I almost forgot to mention was that the fact Shanti amma was a witch or a tonhi, was known only to a select few people in the village. It was only when people went to her with specific requests, did she call upon her dark skills to help. This was told to Madho by some villagers and that’s the reason he went to her.

That night was unusually dark.

Madho made his way towards Shanti amma’s house which was big, spread over 250 square feet! The unique thing about Shanti amma was that she still used to do her chores single-handedly. Whether it was cleaning the house, farming, taking the product to the market etc.

Anyways, as he entered her house he was surprised by the complete darkness. All the lights were switched off.

Small lamps were burning brightly in their place.

Madho cautiously took every step and softly called out her name:

“Shanti amma……….. Where are you?”

“I have come here as you instructed.” He continued.

There was no response.

It was quite eerie but Madho was determined to get his son well. He went on ahead. Though the whole house was lit with lamps burning everywhere, the overwhelming darkness felt like enveloping him in its fold!

He could also feel as if he was not alone in the house. Someone else was also along with him!

He could see a faint light coming from one of the closed doors just a bit straight ahead.

He went on ahead with palpitations increasing. As he reached the closed door, he did not seem to notice any sound coming from the room. Anyways, he softly knocked on the door and called out:

“Shanti amma…. Are you there?”

There was no response. He gently again knocked on the door but this time the door swung open.

As he entered the room he was taken aback by all the lamps that lit the room.

There must have been thousands of lamps all burning away to dispel the oncoming advance of the darkness!

Here he saw Shanti amma all dressed up and her hair all flowing down to her waist.

Her eyes had an unusual sparkle and were shining bright as those of the lamps!

She was holding a small bottle and said “Here take this and give it to your son 2 times a day for 3 days. You will see he will definitely get better and start prancing around like before.”

Madho was overwhelmed and fell on Shanti amma’s feet and cried:

“Amma……… Thank you so much. How can I ever repay you?” he said.

“You don’t have to repay me. I also like your son.” She said softly.

With that Madho went home happy in the fact that now his son would be okay.

This was just one of the instances where Shanti amma helped. There were many such cases where people had come asking for help through her occult practices and knowledge. All of them had experienced the same thing as Madho had! Shanti amma gladly helped all those people without asking for anything in return! This was one of the qualities that was most admired and respected in her.

Time was passing by and the village of Gardwara. People were getting on with their lives when something happened that completely changed the course and nature of the people of the village.

As I said earlier, fate always has something up its sleeve to derail the normal routine of life. You can do nothing but just stand as a mute witness to the change.

So, the twist of destiny was the arrival of two brothers who were the sons of the ex-zamindar of the village; and who had now carved big names for themselves in Mumbai and Bangalore as big developers and property dealers. Raghavendra Singh and Vijayendra Singh arrived at their old ancestral village with the motive of developing it into a modern metropolitan city cum shopping complex, with all the modern amenities available in the major metropolitan cities. For this, the first thing they had to do is convince the village and the local administration for supporting their project. They achieved this with a combination of persuasion, coercion, bribery, sweet-talking etc. Most of the villagers were ordinary simple folk and could not understand the devious motives of the brothers and readily gave up their land.

Nearly all barring a few willingly acceded to the brothers’ plan for the development of their village. Shanti amma, however, was one of the few who refused to be convinced of the brothers’ plan and henceforth, did not bow down before them.

“Arrey amma….. What will you do with so much land at this age?” Raghavendra remarked.

“Yes, you should rather retire and relax at this age.” Vijayendra chimed in.

“I knew of your father and his devious wicked ways.” Shanti amma countered.

“And now, both of you are on the same path.” She added.

Both Raghavendra and Vijayendra grew enraged at this brazen insult but chose to keep quiet.

“Amma……… Your children are all staying far away from you. Moreover, you are all alone here.” Raghavendra spoke calmly. It seemed more in a mocking tone.

“For what’s it worth, we are willing to give you a handsome amount for your land.” He continued.

Shanti amma was quiet all along.

“Just think it through and decide, we will come again in a few days.” Vijayendra gave a parting comment.

Shanti amma did not respond and just stared at them with stone-cold eyes.

 The next day, she enquired from the villagers about the brothers. All the villagers had to say only one thing.

“They are truly wishing for our development and they are powerful also.”

“Moreover, they have the support of the police and the administration too!” The villagers replied.

Shanti amma was still not convinced and did not wish to give her hard-earned land to a pair of ruffians like the brothers. She could make out how the brothers had gained their wealth and popularity. She knew that they were notoriously known for their strong-arm tactics and this further made her resolve not to cower down in front of the bullying tactics of the two brothers.

Despite repeated attempts by the brothers, Shanti amma refused to accede to their proposal. Even the villagers and police officer, Police officer, Taqaat Singh, a middle-aged man, with drooping shoulders, a wheezy tone and deep-set eyes failed to convince her. He was also corrupt to the core.

“Arrey, Shanti amma….. These people wish to good for the village. They are doing this because they have a strong connection to this place because of their ancestry and also because of the goodness of their hearts.” Taaqat Singh added with a slightly softer approach.

When Shanti amma was still not willing to accept the proposal.

“You don’t know their power and influence, amma…..” He said in a stricter tone.

Shanti amma was as unfazed and calm as before. She just kept on gazing at Taaqat Singh.

He felt uncomfortable as he had also heard of her story of being a witch!

“Just think it over amma…….” He once again pleaded.

Looking at her steely resolve reflected in her eyes, Taaqat Singh said

“I tried my best and have forewarned you.”

“Take care amma……” He said and left.

The next few days went on a quiet and sometimes, not too quiet tussle between Shanti amma and the brothers. When the matter could not be resolved through amicable and peaceful methods, the brothers grew irritated and furious at the audacity of Shanti amma! They decided to resort to something which was their trademark and which would prove disastrous for the whole village and themselves also. Only right now, they were oblivious to the dangers of the path they were embarking upon.

They contacted Bahadur Singh, their trusted secretary and a problem fixer for these kinds of situations from the city and embarked on a ruthless and destructive path!

One night, when Shanti amma was about to retire to bed, she thought she could someone enter her house!

“Who could it be at this hour and that too without permission?” Thought Shanti amma.

The moment she stepped out to check she was grabbed by two pairs of hands and dragged inside. Here she was bound hand and feet and made to sit on the floor. Before she could react she saw that some villagers she knew for so many years had burning torches in their hands and were chanting

“Burn the witch……… Burn the witch!”

“Kill the witch!”

She was taken aback at this. She never expected this kind of sentiment to arise in the villagers against her.

Though she was always helpful to people, some self-centred people wanted her to use her skills for harming others, which she flatly refused.

She could now dimly make out that these were the people who were chanting against her and holding the torches. She could only feel sad for them.

Then Raghavendra and Vijayendra Singh came into her line of vision, arrogant, drunk in power and affluence. They seemed to take pleasure in her condition and mock her.

“We told you so many times that it would not suit you to go against us,” Vijayendra exclaimed.

“Nobody has dared to refuse us and offend us at the same time.” Raghavendra glared.

“There is still time amma……” Bahadur Singh chimed.

Shanti amma, however, was as stoic and determined not to bow down to these bullies.

All this was witnessed by a young villager named Ramu, who loved and respected Shanti amma. He was so terrified of the situation unfolding before him, ran to the police station and tried to complain about the situation. Unfortunately, for Ramu, Taaqat Singh was hand- in- gloves with the brothers and in the pretext of lodging a complaint brought him straight to Shanti amma’s residence, where the whole situation was tense and grim.

“Aha! Who do we have here…..” Raghavendra exclaimed with excitement.

Shanti amma looked and was shocked to see poor Ramu bound hand and foot and gagged thrown like a sack on the floor next to her!

She exclaimed, “Why have you brought him here like this?”

“What has he done? He is a simple boy.” She continued.

Both Raghavendra and Vijayendra just looked at her triumphantly and laughed.

“He foolishly tried to complain to the police.” Bahadur Singh added.

“Burn him……..” Commanded Raghavendra.

“No……. No….. Please stop. He is innocent. Please don’t do this to him.” Shanti amma pleaded.

All this, unfortunately, fell on deaf ears and Bahadur Singh along with another few villagers doused him and Shanti amma in kerosene and threw the burning matchstick onto both of them!

They instantly burst into flames!

The people standing there could hear and see their tortured screams and writhing bodies. They did not do anything to help, rather, on the contrary, just quietly went about their ways as if nothing has happened, including the police officer, Taaqat Singh!

To this day, it is said that the tortured screams of Shanti amma and Ramu can be heard coming out of the burnt house. Few people who still were sympathetic and supportive of Shanti amma, could not do anything and were too stunned at the brutal turn of events. An atmosphere of mourning and grief spread over the village as the news of Shanti amma’s and Ramu’s brutal deaths by burning spread across the whole village. Unfortunately, no one could do anything about it and gradually, people started to reconcile with the bitter fact that the brothers could get away with anything and nobody could do anything against them.

Gradually, the construction of their dream started and the poor villagers had to work relentlessly for the brothers.

Otherwise, they would have to also meet the same fate, warned Bahadur Singh and his goons.

As I said earlier, fate has a cruel method of upturning everything.

On that fateful night, something happened that would terrify and completely baffle the whole village and the entire nation.

Strange things started occurring in the village of Gardwara after that unfortunate and tragic night.

Just a few days after the event, the weather was the first to turn adverse against the village.

There was no rainfall for months.

Crops started dying and in a few days, even cattle started dying of a mysterious affliction.

 People were stumped and when the veterinarian also could not ascertain the cause of this mysterious disease, people were worried.

This was just a sign of things to come. The next to fall victims to a mysterious illness were children of the village. No amount of medicine or medical help could determine the cause of children suddenly growing sick and withering away in a matter of days. Virologists, doctors from the disease control centre and even from the biggest hospital, AIIMS in Delhi, could not ascertain this sudden outbreak of this mysterious virus!

All of this was strange, mysterious, perplexing and worrisome for most of the villagers. However, according to some village elders, it was the result of the curse given by the innocent, dying Shanti amma!

Although many villagers believed in this, some did not believe in this kind of mumbo-jumbo, including the Singh brothers. They just wanted their project to be completed as soon as possible and did not give much credence to this village talk.

When Bahadur Singh went to them with the problem of villagers not willing to work at the site.

“Ask the villagers that if they don’t want a similar fate for their children and families also, they better start working.” Growled Raghavendra Singh

“Sir, they are too afraid to work now. Especially, after their children have started falling sick and dying from this mysterious disease.” Bahadur Singh replied.

Taaquat Singh was also present there and he chimed in:

“They are talking about the curse of Shanti amma!”

“What curse?” asked an enraged Raghavendra.

“The curse about this village suffering because of what it did to Shanti amma and Ramu.” Bahadur Singh responded.

“What rubbish...” exclaimed Vijayendra.

“Being in the 20th century, you still believe in such nonsense? It’s incredible.” Continued Vijayendra.

Both Bahadur and Taaqat Singh remained silent.

Things took a dramatic turn for the worse. Just like in Bollywood Horror movies!

This did not deter the Singh brothers from going on ahead with their dream project. On the other hand, a strange phenomenon started to take place. Whenever anyone used to pass Shanti amma’s burnt-out house, he or she could hear the tortured screams of Shanti amma and Ramu! Although, the house was completely turned into a charnel house and no one could see anything, just hear the agonising screams. It was really uncanny and also terrifying.

Just imagine you are walking through the road and pass an abandoned house suddenly from where you hear agonising screams piercing the calm of the evening or night. It would be disconcerting and scary for anyone!

Then one day, something terrible happened to one of the villagers working on the site. Munna Thakur was the one to leave the construction site in the evening every day.

That day also, as he was about to leave, he could feel that the atmosphere had kind of turned depressive and there was a heavy presence of sadness. He could not understand it and did not pay much attention to it. He was working on one of the top floors of the complex.

As he got ready to pack everything and leave he felt a sudden gush of wind brush past him. He stumbled backwards in surprise.

As of now, the weather was calm.

He could hear someone breathing heavily but could not see anyone!

Then someone whispered his name “Munna……………………”

He stopped abruptly and looked.

There was no one around.

He thought it must be his imagination and resumed his packing.

Again, “ Munna………………….”

He again looked but did not see anyone.

“If you guys are playing a prank, it’s not funny.” He shouted thinking his frie

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nds and colleagues might be playing a prank on him. As they knew that he was the most affected by the rumours of Shanti amma and Ramu’s spirits roaming around!

He did not get any response.

He quickly packed his bag and was about to climb down when he heard the sound of scampering feet.

“Why do people bring their children to the work site?” Munna cried out loud.

Anyways, he hastened his speed.

Suddenly, on the opposite wall, he could see some shadows dancing in the dim fading light!

“I must be imagining and seeing things.” Munna consoled himself.

“Munna…………….”

This time there was shrill laughter accompanying the name-calling.

This was the time Munna got scared and he tried to run.

 But, to his surprise, he could not move an inch of his muscle!

As he was struggling, he saw two shapes come into his line of vision.

One was that of Shanti Amma and the other was of Ramu!

Both of them were completely burnt and still had flames coming out of their bodies!

“Arghhh………………………………..” Cried out Munna in alarm and terror.

“Please let me go…….” He pleaded.

He could not do anything else as he was rooted to the spot and could not move his body!

The shapes kept on coming nearer to him.

“Please……… Amma………. Please Ramu………. Let me go.” He pleaded and cried in fear.

“Did you show mercy on us?” Shanti amma’s apparition asked.

“Did you think that by helping those two evil people you would get away?” Ramu’s apparition asked this time.

“Why did you help them? I was always there for you Munna?” Shanti amma asked.

“I was supposed to be your best friend.” Ramu’s apparition said.

Munna by this time was completely paralysed by fear and kept on pleading.

“I know I have committed a grave sin. Please forgive me. I will surrender myself to the police!” He added.

“It’s good that you have acknowledged your sin but unfortunately, too late for you.” Shanti amma’s apparition glared at him with red hot charcoal eyes.

Before he could respond, Shanti amma’s spirit pointed to a burned hand that burst into flames and touched Munna!

Munna instantly burst into flames!

“Aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee………………………………….” Cried out an alarmed Munna.

“Help me…… somebody.” He shouted.

But there was no one around.

He stumbled backwards and started falling to the ground from a huge height.

As he was on the unconstructed 10th floor and he was right on the ledge when all of this happened. It seemed that someone had deliberately pushed him down!

He fell to his death burning and screaming!

The whole village was shocked as the news of Munna’s death spread around the village.

This was just the beginning as I mentioned earlier.

Two days later, Babloo was out drinking with his friends in a nearby hooch discussing the recent events and rumours that were going around in the village.

“Have you heard Babloo that Munna fell from the 10th floor? People say that his body was burnt beyond recognition!” His friends remarked.

“Hah! I don’t believe in spirits and curses.” Remarked Babloo.

“Moreover, how did he burn?” he asked.

“Some say it was Shanti amma who has come to take revenge!” his friends again remarked but this time with fear and deference in their manner.

“You guys are cowards and are spreading such kinds of rumours.” He grumbled.

“There are no ghosts. The only ghosts that are here are those you and I can see in the village.” He quipped philosophically.

His friends chose to remain quiet as they knew that he will not believe them.

Time passed and he felt the urge for a nature’s call. So he got up and went near one of the bushes.

Suddenly he could hear a rustle ng in the nearby bushes. It was pitch black so he could not see anyone.

“Must be some animal?” he thought and ignored.

Again, the rustling sound!

Babloo was about to finish when he saw someone staring at him for a second from a bush nearby!

“Ah…….. What!” He was taken aback.

Meanwhile, his friends shouted:

“Babloo we are leaving as it is late enough and dark already.”

“You guys go ahead; I will join you in a while.” Shouted back Babloo.

Babloo wanted to investigate what he just now saw. He thought it was his imagination and also just now he discussed the latest mysterious events taking place in the village nowadays.

As he moved forward making his way through the bushes, in the pitch-black darkness, he was in for the biggest and last surprise of his life!

Just a few metres ahead, he came into a clearing where he saw the spirits of Shanti amma and Ramu!

He was rooted to the spot with fear.

Could not utter a sound.

The spirit of Ramu charged toward him with unnatural speed and fury and touched him.

Lo and Behold! Babloo burst into flames instantly before he could think what was happening!

He screamed “aiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee…………………….” and ran towards the road flailing his arms. Before people could realise and help Babloo, he died writhing from the fire that was burning him.

People could not go near him because of the intensity of the flames! 

His body was charred and burnt beyond recognition, just like Munna’s!

If you think this was enough. Think again, as the cosmos has a very unique way of getting back at things gone wrong!

Now people started talking about the recent developments going around which seemed both mysterious and terrifying.

“It is the work of Shanti amma and Ramu’s spirits,” Some said.

“She laid a curse on the village and this is the result of that curse.” Others remarked.

There was an atmosphere of fear in the whole village.

 

Bahadur Singh, one day was coming from the town on an urgent errand for the Singh brothers. He was running late as it is and it was getting dark. Moreover, he had to cross a heavily forested area on his way back to the village. So, keeping in mind, all the speculations and rumours going around the village, he hastened his way.

Then suddenly, he saw a beautiful girl, just on the edge of the forest standing all alone. 

She was all dressed in traditional colourful village dress, with ornaments that were sparkling every time the moonlight reflected off it.

 

Her eyes were deep and enticing. 

Her cheeks were rosy pink and her lips were cherry red; it seemed as if, they were all inviting Bahadur Singh!

He looked at her and was immediately mesmerised by her stunning beauty.

She looked at him and gave full smile. Her teeth were whiter than a glass of pure milk!

She had a twinkle in her eyes.

It seemed that she wanted Bahadur Singh to come near her and embrace her.

“Hey, pretty girl what’s your name?” Bahadur Singh asked

The girl did not respond and just pranced into the jungle. Bahadur Singh was enamoured and mesmerised by her beauty that he started following.

“Wait up pretty girl……” He shouted.

After chasing maybe for half a kilometre, the girl stopped in front of the burned house of Shanti amma!

Bahadur Singh was surprised as he followed her there all panting and tired.

“What are you doing here all alone at this time of the night?” Bahadur Singh asked.

The girl did not say anything but gave a mischievous smile and ran into the house!

Bahadur Singh had heard about the rumours about the place but lust and desire for a young pretty girl overtook him and he went inside.

It was dark everywhere inside the house and it still reeked of burnt human flesh and kerosene!

“Where are you, pretty girl? Enquired Bahadur Singh.

He kept on calling and when did not get any response went into one of the rooms where Shanti amma used to use her dark occult rituals!

Here he saw the girl standing opposite a wall. He tiptoed behind her and tried to grab her.

Lo and Behold! The young girl transformed into Shanti Amma, who was engulfed in flames!

Bahadur Singh stopped in his tracks terrified. He could not move a muscle; neither could he utter a sound.

His eyes were bulging out with fear.

“I was waiting for you.” The spirit of Shanti amma said.

Before Bahadur Singh could understand anything, the spirit of Shanti amma embraced him in its fold!

Bahadur Singh burst into flames immediately!

He could not resist, nor could he call out for help, because no one knew where he was. So he died a painful and fiery death.

An apt end for someone who had lit the first matchstick!

News of Bahadur Singh’s fiery death spread like wildfire in the village.

People who were sceptics till now also started believing that the spirits of Shanti Amma and Ramu had come back and were hungry for vengeance against the injustice done to them!

There was an atmosphere of fear and terror in the village.

Some of the village elders even speculated that it would be a matter of days before Taaqat Singh and the Singh brothers will be getting their judgements.

You know, it’s aptly said that “you reap what you sow, according to your actions; your karma in this life only.”

This is what was happening to the people involved right now.

Meanwhile, the police had no clue whatsoever, as to the string of mysterious deaths and events taking place in the village. They were as baffled and mystified as the rest of the state; rather the whole nation, as news of these mysterious deaths and phenomena were being talked about in all of the newspapers, television channels, radio talk shows and social media. But the people of Gardwara village were oblivious to all this publicity and attention meted out to them.

Anyways, Taaqat Singh was now scared and apprehensive about his future and he went to the Singh brothers for help and counsel.

“Sir, all these mysterious and sudden deaths have worked upon the nerves of the people.”

Taaqat Singh said

“All of this is rubbish.” Growled Raghavendra Singh.

“Someone is out to get us and is killing people who are close to us, just to get back at us,” Vijayendra added.

“Sir, the talk about Shanti amma and Ramu’s spirits roaming around in the village is true!” exclaimed Taaqat Singh.

“One of my constables has claimed to have seen their spirits!” he continued.

“Hah! If they are roaming around killing people, then why don’t they try and come here?” Raghavendra sarcastically asked.

“That I don’t know sir. I only humbly request you to have me transferred from here.” Pleaded Taaqat Singh.

“Coward!..........” screamed Raghavendra.

“First sign of trouble and you want to scoot?” Vijayendra piped in.

“Sir, I can only be of use if only I stay alive!” countered Taaqat Singh.

The Singh brothers assured him that they would try to get him transferred; though Raghavendra was disgusted with him, still promised to help him.

On the other hand, Taaqat Singh was happy that he would escape from this wretched place. With that thought in mind, he took off in his jeep.

While he had gone a little far only, he saw a huge ball of fire coming towards him at tremendous speed from the opposite direction!

His jeep had all of a sudden stalled in the middle of an empty road!

Then he heard someone calling out to him “Daroga sahib…………. Daroga sahib….”

Taaqat Singh was terrified now as there was no one in the street except himself!

He got out of the jeep and switched on the flashlight and looked around in the all-enveloping darkness.

The fireball meanwhile had vanished into thin air!

Then he saw something so frightening that he was rooted to the spot paralysed with fear!

That was the last that was seen of Taaqat Singh.

The next day his badly burnt body was found hanging from a tree in the village!

This was now the ultimate act which terrified everybody, including the Singh brothers.

On the other hand, the government too had taken cognizance of the mysterious events happening in the remote village. They sent one of their best officers in the Crime Branch, Inspector Vijay Saxena.

 

Vijay Saxena was a perfect example of what a dedicated, honest and focused officer should be.

The first thing he did after he was transferred to Gardwara village was to meet with the elders.

Here he got to know about the events taking place in the village. He was surprised and mystified that how come the police had not been able to catch the culprit till now.

The village elders told him that it was not the work of any mortal.

“Yahan pe aatmaye apna badla lene aaye hai sahaab…..” The villagers told him.

He was sceptical about this but chose to keep quiet out of deference to the elders.

He next started looking at the flimsy case files; as Taaqat Singh, had not filed any substantial reports in the police records! This did not deter him from investigating and interviewing people involved in the case, especially, the Singh brothers!

“What can you tell me about Shanti amma and Ramu’s deaths? He asked Raghavendra and Vijayendra at the same time at their residence.

“Nothing.” Said Raghavendra.

His brother just nodded.

“I have heard that you guys had some sort of enmity with Shanti amma. Is it true?” asked Vijay.

Both the brothers exchanged glances and then Ragahvendra replied: “We had a sort of argument but we sorted it amicably amongst us.”

Vijayendra vigorously nodded his head in agreement with this.

“Where were both of you at the time of Shanti amma and Ramu’s deaths?” asked Vijay.

Both of them again exchanged glances and said: “we were at home.”

Inspector Vijay could make out that the brothers were lying through their teeth.

Unfortunately, he did not have any evidence against them.

Rejected at this he took their leave and went outside to his jeep. While he was driving, he could sense that someone was sitting in the rear seat!

He could even see an outline of a shadow.

The moment he looked back, there was nothing.

Anyways, going a bit farther, he saw a dim glow that was following from a discreet distance!

He was taken by surprise and stopped his jeep.

He saw that the very same glow somehow change into a huge fireball as it neared him!

 

Before he could take any action, the fireball passed him, and in the fireball, he thought he could distinctly see Shanti amma and Ramu’s faces!

He was taken aback by this.

That night, as he was thinking about the strange encounter, he heard a knock at his door.

 He went to the door and looked out, there was no one there.

There was another knock after a few moments!

Vijay again opened the door but this time also, there was no one!

After the third knock, Vijay took his service revolver out and went outside.

 Here, he was stumped to see the apparitions of Shanti amma and Ramu, all ablaze, looking at him with expectations in their eyes.

He was too surprised to react at first; but when he looked again, there was no one there! The empty street was just staring back at him!

As if saying “You have seen what I have seen; give them justice!”

Vijay then contacted the famous paranormal investigator Paramjeet Sengupta; as he could not put a rationale behind the mysterious encounters and visions he was also experiencing!

Paramjeet Sengupta had been keenly following this case and was just waiting for someone to invite him! So he readily accepted Inspector Vijay’s invitation to come to the village of Gardwara and see for himself.

The first thing that Paramjeet experienced after entering the village was that the whole atmosphere was kind of fear, gloom and apprehension.

 Everywhere he looked, he could see terror and apprehension in people’s eyes.

“Who would it be next?” was the only thought that was roaming everyone’s minds.

He went and met Inspector Vijay, who brought him up to date on all of the mysterious events that had taken place in the village till now.

“This is truly bizarre and mysterious!” commented Paramjeet.

 “Indeed!” agreed Vijay.

“One thing you have noticed inspector that all the people who have been killed were working for the Singh brothers.” Observed Paramjeet.

Inspector Vijay gave it a deep thought

“I think you are right on this.” He replied.

That evening, while they were discussing the case, Madho, the villager who had sought Shanti amma’s help intervened.

“Sahab…. Shanti amma was a wonderful and helpful lady. She always was at the forefront of helping anyone and everyone who needed help.” He said.

“Were there any animosity against her in the village?” Inspector Vijay asked.

“No sir, Shanti amma was such kind of a lady who would give her life for anyone and Ramu was the nicest person in the village,” Madho replied.

“Then why were they killed?” asked Paramjeet.

Madho looked at them before answering; it seemed he was nervous and scared.

“Sahab, please don’t take my name but the Singh brothers had them killed and Inspector Taaqat Singh, Bahadur Singh, Munna and Babloo carried out their orders.” He replied solemnly.

Both Vijay and Parmjeet looked at him incredulously!

“Why didn’t you complain to the police?” demanded Vijay.

“Sahab, Inspector Taaqat Singh was also working for them. Ramu tried to complain but Taaqat Singh brought him to the Singh brothers, who had him killed!” Madho replied

“How do you know all of this?” asked a mystified Vijay Saxena.

The next response that Madho gave shook both of them to their cores. He looked at them and for a few moments kept quiet, he closed his eyes; it seemed he was battling with his inner self.

Then he opened his eyes and in a sombre tone replied.

“I was there. I saw the whole thing!”

Vijay and Paramjeet nearly jumped out of their seats.

“Why didn’t you do anything?” cried Vijay.

“How could I sahib…. I am just a poor guy, and these people were all powerful people.” Replied a sobbing Madho.

Meanwhile, Vijayendra Singh was returning the same night from an urgent errand. When his car stalled in the middle of the road.

There was no one on the long lonely stretch of road.

Suddenly, Vijayendra Singh saw something so terrible that he had a massive heart attack and died on the spot!

News of his death completely broke Raghavendra Singh.

He grew enraged and furious at all of the events and wanted somehow to get his dream project completed which had been delayed for so many weeks because of bizarre occurrences in the village.

Meanwhile, Paramjeet expressed a desire to see Shanti amma’s house one day.

The villagers were too terrified to take him there.

It was then Inspector Vijay volunteered to take Paramjeet to Shanti amma’s house.

From the moment Paramjeet stepped into the house, he could feel that something was wrong.

The temperature inside the house was extremely hot!

He could also feel the presence of a dark entity!

He knew that it was Shanti amma’s spirit, so he took a risk and went ahead and started communicating with it!

All of this was strange and unexplainable to Vijay but he chose to see what happens!

In a few minutes, a dark shape began to appear in front of Paramjeet.

“Welcome, Shanti amma. We mean you no harm. We are only here to help you and Ramu.” Said a calm Paramjeet.

“Help!...... Where were you when they were burning us?” growled Shanti amma’s spirit.

“Where were you when they killed poor Ramu?” continued the spirit.

Paramjeet quietly bowed his head down and said

“I am sorry amma for what they have done to you!” replied a sombre Paramjeet.

“They even did not let my children perform the last rituals and shooed them away from the village. Where were you then?” cried the spirit.

Inspector Vijay was standing quietly when he intervened

“Amma, I promise you that we will get justice for you.”

Shanti amma was quiet for some time and then melted away into thin air.

Finally, with Madho as a witness and all the evidence collected from the village, Inspector Vijay, along with Parmajeet, were able to arrest Raghavendra Singh, who was planning to flee from the village!

After Raghavendra saw that his arrest was imminent, he surrendered and confessed to everything. Inspector Vijay then escorted him to the police station. He also thanked profusely Paramjeet Sengupta who had helped him in the case. Paramjeet just humbly shook his head and said “I am glad that I could be of any help. Now, make sure that the last rituals are performed for Shanti amma’s salvation and also ensure that she is accorded the proper respect and love she deserves.”

With that Paramjeet took his leave glad that he had helped another restless soul to achieve salvation.