The Brave Thapa

Words fall short to describe the glorious history of the Indian Army and the Indian Police Department. The history of the Indian Army has been distinguished by its high standard and glory. The valor of the Indian Army fills the heart of all Indians with pride. Stories of bravery, courage, valor, and sacrifice of Indian soldiers have been sung for centuries. These stories are etched in history in golden letters. Besides bravery and courage, the Indian Army is also known for military morals, strong character and conduct.

Arunachal is a state in the north-east filled with greenery and natural beauty. I live in Assam but given that our tea plantation is located in Arunachal, there is regular to-and-fro that keeps happening between the two places. Our tea estate is located a little beyond Namsai in a place called Mudai and goes by the name Mudai Bari Tea Estate. Mudai is about two and a half hours away from Tinsukia. There are several tea gardens in the area. Most of the owners live in Tinsukia and the surrounding areas.

Whenever someone went there earlier, they had to exercise full caution because terrorists used to spread their terror from time to time. Sometimes the army also showed their predominance and protected the people of Assam.

We have a friend in Mudai, Mahesh Thapa who is an Inspector in the Police Department of Mudai. Their family is well known. His wife, Sulekha Thapa is a lecturer at the college in Mudai. They have two daughters and a son. The son is older and studies in a prestigious college in Pune while the daughters are still young. They study in the eighth and tenth grades at the KV School in Mudai. All the three children are very good at studies and just as cultured as their parents. Mahesh Thapa is a very honest and dutiful officer. His wife Sulekha also follows in his footsteps.

The terrorists demanded Rs 1 Lakh from Naresh Saharia, the owner of Mirgaon Tea Estate in Mudai district. The manager received the letter. However, the owner paid little attention to it. As a result, they took away the manager in the dead of the night when he was fast asleep and informed the owner Naresh Saharia at four in the morning that if he cared to save the life of the manager and his family, he had to deliver the money requested within a week at a forest across the river. In the end, using abusive language in the local Chakma language, he threatened dire consequences that he could otherwise expect. Now there was commotion all around.

The manager was aged around 35-40 years. His two small children, wife and his parents lived together.

The house where Manager Pradeep Bohra's stayed was engulfed by sadness. The constant crying had deteriorated the condition of his wife and the parents. His father was keen to take on the task of paying the money to save his son’s life. A written report had been filed with the police but nothing could be achieved. The seven days of notice were coming to an end. Day after day flew by. There was no trace of the manager Pradeep whatsoever. Just a couple of months ago, the owner of another tea estate was murdered for not honouring their demand. This was the reason why the people were very scared.

Nobody knew what to do. The owner was ready to pay the ransom but the police was refusing to let them go ahead with it. Nobody could do a thing out of fear of the police. The people were speaking ill of the police. The police just know how to bake their own bread. Little do they care for the lives of ordinary people. All of them are birds of the same feather. All these words reached the ears of Inspector Thapa as well. But he did not say anything to anyone. He remained calm. In this critical situation, the brave Inspector Thapa acted with his intelligence and courage. He hatched a plan. He told Naresh Saharia ,” We have to protect Pradeep, anyhow”. Any delay will result in the terrorists killing Pradeep as well. Therefore, arrange for the money and get in touch with the number that you received the call from. Ask them where and when they would like the money to be delivered. The owner, Naresh, was keen to save Pradeep’s life. He arranged for the money in no time and contacted the number to enquire where to deliver the money. The people responded - “Contact no one and come alone to the forest near the river at five o'clock in the evening. If someone gets even a whiff of it, both of you will land up losing your families.

Even on repeated questioning Naresh did not open his mouth to Inspector Thapa and got ready to proceed towards the forest at the appointed time.

Inspector Thapa had tapped the conversation from Naresh's phone. Therefore, at the designated time, Thapa had made all preparations to go to the forest across the river using an alternative route.

They disguised their weapons and went to the spot dressed like ordinary Assamese farmers. In his hand, he had a chopper usually meant to cut wild trees.

His head was wrapped around with a towel. His hands, feet, and face were smeared with mud. He wore torn shoes. He gave a look of a foolish, poor rustic. Thapa had already reached there in this garb and was busy cutting trees. Even after looking people ignored him thinking he was a poor man cutting wood to use as firewood in his house.

This act of Thapa’s was not known to anyone except his wife, Sulekha. A young boy asked in Assamese “What are you doing?”( Ki Korise)

Thapa replied in Assamese and with great humility – “I am cutting firewood for cooking”. Shortly, Naresh Sahariya, the owner of the tea estate too reached there with the money. By then Thapa had gone deep inside the forest and was watching all the goings-on from there. The owner thought that the poor man had gone away with the wood. On seeing the owner Naresh, a young man of about thirty years abusingly asked him in Assamese – “Why so late?” -( Iman Der Lagayise). Don’t you know what we do?

A man stood with a gun cocked against Naresh’s forehead. Naresh said- “I have brought all the money. Count it and release Pradeep”. Naresh handed over the bag of money to the person. Some of his companions started counting the money. Two men presented manager Pradeep who was tied up with rope. On seeing the owner, Pradeep felt he got a fresh lease of life. Naresh said “ Both of us will go away from here quietly. We will not say anything to anyone”. Just then the boss ordered – “Finish the two of them off right here.” Hearing these words, Thapa started firing indiscriminately. Five of the seven terrorists were killed on the spot. Using this as an opportunity, Pradeep and Naresh hid themselves behind the trees nearby.

Thapa had also received a lot of bullets. Blood was oozing out from his wound. He was having trouble breathing. Despite this, Thapa followed the surviving two terrorists for half a kilometer firing at them continuously. The bullet hit one man in the leg and the other on the back. After that, both the terrorists were caught. A few days later, the person who was shot at the back also succumbed to his injuries. The one who received a bullet in his leg survived and was the real boss. He was taken through interrogation and put behind bars. Naresh and Pradeep got their money back and returned happily. Thapa had also received several bullets. He remained in the hospital for about a couple of months. This was the story of Thapa's love for the nation and his bravado. Ever since, all those who called the policemen names started saluting every time they saw them.

We have no idea how many more Thapas defend this country risking their lives today. It is because of them that we feel safe. This incident happened about ten to twelve years back. Thapa is now retired. Now his son, Awadesh holds the rank of Inspector in the Indian Army and serves the nation with the same valour as his father. His daughters too prepare to join the Army.

But till today, no terrorist dares to come to the forests. To these daring and brave soldiers, I offer my innumerable bows.

THE END

Courtesy Dr Lakshmi Vaideeswaran

जांबाजथापा 

★★★★★ 

© Nisha Nandini Bhartiya

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