The Day The State Split Asunder-12

The massive stone thrown by Arjun splashed prodigiously into the well, creating the ripples, pushing the leaves and mosses to the ends of the walls, forcing the blue colored plastic waterproof boxes to come into visibility for three seconds and were once again swallowed by the murky waters.

"Huh Ah! Did you see those boxes? This is the place where they had hidden their weapons," Arjun heaved a Brobdingnagian sigh of relief, "This well fulfilled our wish."

"The Chief Minister will address the meeting tomorrow. I presume they will come here tonight to collect their weapons. Let's seize them as soon as they come here." said Sudhakar.

"Capturing them is not as easy as you think. They are tactical guerilla fighters and we need to be careful. One wrong maneuver can land the fate of our entire team in jeopardy. Did you forget what happened while we were combing at the Karimnagar agency area? How cleverly they ambushed and attacked?"

"How can I forget? It is still fresh in my mind. It was a consequence of inaccurate planning."

Arjun grabbed a small stick from the nearby ruined house, kneeled, and drew a big rectangle on the sand, representing the vague map of the settlement. He picked three small pebbles and placed them at three points representing the three entrances to the village.

"Sudhakar as we have seen, there are four entry points into this village. The forest is in the south. We entered from the west and this road where we are standing is the entrance from the east. We can rule out the entry into this village from the north as it consumes a lot of time to circle and reach over here."

"In that case then the only option for the intruders is to come through these three points south, east and west. Shall we divide the team into groups of three and scramble at these points?"

"Don't hurry, in a battle, no plan survives contact with the enemy," he picked up another good-sized stone and placed it at the center of the sand map, "This big stone at the center is the temple, from here I can have the perfect view of anyone who comes in and out."

"But you won't be able to take in the view of this east side, the big toddy and coconut trees will block out your view."

"Good observation," he placed his arm on his shoulders, "You will be here to supervise the team. I will be on the first floor of the temple. Let us inform the team to fire the warning gun in case if anything goes out or order. Let's hope there won't be anything to do with our guns."

They both reviewed for an hour, weighing all the possibles if's and not's.

Later, Arjun drew out his walkie-talkie and summoned the entire team to walk into the village and cautioned not to inform anyone regarding their profession.

Abiding by Arjun's orders, the junior team of eight walked into the village along with their bags. Arjun and Sudhakar escorted them and later checked into one of the ruined houses, which is set up with a temporary tarpaulin roof.

Arjun picked his bag containing his service rifle Armalite M-15, walked to the top floor of the temple, and placed it inside the sanctum of the tower. He loaded the cartridges into it and surveyed the surroundings from the top floor. The tall trees blocked the view of the eastern side and there is no way he can get any advantage over that point.

The old man meanwhile organized a meeting with the villagers and ordered them to prepare dinner for Arjun's team.

Arjun and Sudhakar took the entire team to the first floor of the temple and started briefing them about the plan.

"Irfan and Narsingh you will be in the south. Vikram and Avinash, you will be on the east along with Sudhakar sir. Naxals will come to this point to collect their weapons, as soon as they come, let us not provide any opportunity to attack. Let's try to detain them.

"I will be on the top floor of this temple. I request everyone of you to carry a warning gun along. In case of some unanticipated surprise, fire a flare into the sky and run towards the tower. We have to be careful and ensure that none of these innocent villagers get attacked."

After having briefed the entire team about the sequence of operations, they all climbed down and assembled at old mans home who accepted the responsibility of their hospitality.

In two hours the village slipped into the darkness. Arjun collected a few withered twigs and made a campfire.

The old man meanwhile walked in to the temporary camp along with a dozen other villagers holding steel plates and water glasses.

"We have prepared Upma for everyone. Don't feel shy, eat as much as you can," said the old man while handing over the plate to Arjun.

"I am sorry, we troubled you," said Arjun, "Uncle I want to have a word with you in private."

Sudhakar trailed the old man to one corner behind the ruined wall of one house.

"Uncle, I am sorry, to tell you the truth, we are greyhound commandoes and we came here on a mission," said Arjun.

"I know," said the old man with a smile, "I learned when I looked at you for the first time. Two years ago I got retired as a head constable for Chintapalli Police Station. I provided a lengthy service of thirty-five years. This is my village. My two sons live in Hyderabad. But I didn't want to leave behind my ancestral home and farmlands. I have many memories scattered in this place. I will provide all the help I can. Tell me what you want me to do?"

"We got information that few suspicious activities are going on in this village," said Arjun, "And we are afraid they will strike the chief minister in tomorrow's meeting."

"Oh my god, is it?" The old-age pensioner exclaimed, placing his palm on his chest, "Are any of the villagers involved in this conspiracy?"

"No! For time being all I want from your side is I don't want any member of your village to roam on streets after seven."

"Leave it to me. I also served in the police department. I know how to deal with them. With no second thought, focus on your positions. Everyone here sleeps by eight."

"Thank you so much, sir, you have decimated the burden on our shoulders."

"Thank me later, have the Upma first before the heat drains, let's go," said the old man with a gentle laugh, "Let's go."

Sudhakar and Arjun sat along with their team to have dinner. The entire team completed their meals in ten minutes. Tensed about the impending threat, there was a deflated expression on everyone's face. If Arjun doesn't ignite the spark to melt their frozen spirits, beyond the shadow of a doubt, by all means, they will head towards a disaster.

"Boys, what happened? Why you look so dull? Let's play a minor game. I hope everyone loves movies. Let each of us deliver dialogues from your favorite movie," said Arjun, "Nagesh, you start first."

"Sir, I don't know any dialogues," Nagesh shot a nervous glance in his direction, "But, I wanted to ask you one question."

"What is that?"

"Sir, You have been in this department for over ten years and in short, became a cult figure among youths in your village wanting to join the police force. As a sub-inspector, you even dealt the rowdy menaces in Vijayawada with an iron-fist. Out of line, you're the first person to arrest the goons. That incident was a sensation, and you became a superhero. I wonder how fearless and audacious you are. I wish I could be like you."

"Nagesh, Whenever I hold a rifle in my hand, the first picture which flashes in my mind is my wife and son. In the beginning, I had the same fear as you. Bravely overcoming one slight fear gives you the courage to take on the next. Courage and bravery in a literal sense don't imply the absence of fear but triumph over it. Becoming fearless should not be the essential attribute of a policeman, I say it is impossible. Learning how to control your fear and how to be free from it, that should be the goal of everyone."

Everyone stood up and clapped for his words.

"Hats off, sir. We feel proud to be working under you," said Nagesh.

"Nagesh why don't you tell one of your favorite dialogue from a movie?"

"Sure sir," Nagesh cleared his throat and began the dialogue, "If the visible three lions on the emblem, represents Law, Justice, and Truth, the invisible fourth lion is none other than police… police… police…"

"Sudhakar now it's your turn, tell me any of your favorite dialogue," said Arjun.

"Sir, my favorite dialogue is from the movie Vikramarkudu," Sudhakar stood up and walked towards the center, "A man who commits a crime has fear in his heart, my fear is in the honor of my uniform. I only have one desire in my life, When I see the God of death standing before me, I shouldn't have any fear in my eyes, I should have a smile on my face and my hand should be on my mustache."

"Fantastic…" shouted everyone, whistling and clapping.

The sun called it a day and soon the area became black. Everyone clamped the Bluetooth headsets on their ears and dispersed to their assigned points.

Sudhakar along with three members scrambled towards the east of the village and hid behind the wall of the demolished structure. They placed two members at the North entrance of the village. Arjun and the remaining team are at the west.

Cold waves wafted down the village and the faint street light provided enough light to look at the distance not exceeding ten meters.

"Sudhakar sir… Someone is coming…" Nagesh spoke to Sudhakar through his headset.

"Get ready boys, let us catch him as soon as he comes near to the well."

The team could only intercept the black walking figure through faint reflections of crystal around his neck, which at one instant twinkled against the moonlight.

As expected, he approached the well, turned on the flashlight, and scanned the area around. He was standing with his back facing Sudhakar and his team. Moments later, he began removing the garments on his body except for the boxers.

Sudhakar along with his team neared the well and stood ten feet behind him. He looked broad and tall.

"Don't move," said Sudhakar in a chilling tone, "Sit down, I will not repeat it."

On his hands and knees, the man froze and shot a baleful glance in their direction.

"Who are you?" asked Sudhakar, "Where are your other team members?"

"I am innocent sir," the man stammered, "I do not understand what you are talking about!"

"You are lying," yelled Sudhakar.

The man stared at him, perfectly immobile except for the fear in his ghostly eyes. Instantly, with his eyes wide open and taking in a deep breath, he said - "Police… Police… Police…"

The man took out a small knife from his boxer, stood up, and with a lightning flash agility stabbed it hard Nagesh's neck and started running away from them at full pelt.

Sudhakar scrambled forward, missing two bullets in the dark. He landed the third shot into his chest.

Two gunshots were fired in reply by the intruders. One bullet shattered the cement wall of the well. Helter and Skelter, Sudhakar and his team ran for the cover.

"Incoming attack... Arjun… Arjun… Nagesh is down…," Sudhakar spoke to Arjun through his headset.

A group of five assailants with masks on their faces dashed towards the place where Arjun and his team is settled and in a flash attacked them with a powder bomb.

"Everyone run… hide…" shouted Arjun.

Everyone started running with panting breaths and ducked themselves behind the walls of the ruined structures. The attackers vanished from the spot by cutting into the streets.

Arjun scrambled onto the first floor of the temple, took out his rifle from the groove, and checked out the surroundings besides. There's no visibility around except the faint street lights here and there.

"Sudhakar… come in…" Arjun spoke on his headset.

"Sir, they have killed Nagesh. I shot down one of theirs…"

"Relax Sudhakar, there is no case of arrest, let us kill them one by one. You are on the eastern entry, right?

"Yes, sir…"

"Come running towards the tower…"

Sudhakar transferred all his strength to his legs and began running in the tower's direction. An attacker emerged from one of the ruined houses carrying a hammer in his hand and began running back of him.

"Sir… one attacker is following me…"

"Keep running…"

Sudhakar came into his sight. Out of nowhere two more started running towards him, emerging from the fissures of the walls.

"Two are heading towards me, sir…"

"STOP… FREEZE… CROUCH..." shouted Arjun.

Sudhakar stopped and bent low, touching his knees to the ground.

Arjun closed his left eye and with his finger on the trigger, he made sure his right eye and the vent of the gun is aligned to the targets. He fired three shots and in short, all three attackers fell down dead on the ground.

"They are dead." said Sudhakar.

"Good, just remain there," he spoke, still frozen in his shooter's stance, "Irfan and Madhu where ever you are come running towards the tower fire the warning gun before you begin."

Two flares rose into the sky in the north direction. Arjun oriented himself in that direction.

Irfan and Madhu surfaced on his radar screen. Two assailants started following them.

"STOP… FREEZE… CROUCH,"

They both stopped and froze on their knees.

Arjun fired two shots and killed the attackers following them.

"Irfan and Madhu come straight and take left, you will see Sudhakar, Everyone assemble at the same place…" he spoke continuing in his shooter's stance.

Everyone gathered at the spot where Sudhakar stood. Arjun climbed down and raced towards the spot carrying a rifle in his hand. The team split into groups of three, each comprising three members. Each team cut into three different directions.

In fifteen minutes after intense shelling, they killed all the assailants.

They placed the dead bodies of ten assailants side by side in a row.

It moved everyone to tears, looking at the dead body of their fellow police officer Nagesh, who was along with all of them just an hour ago.

"Sir, Nagesh sacrificed his life, to protect the life of the Chief Minister. Why people like us have to sacrifice to protect the life of a person in a higher post?" Sudhakar broke down in tears.

"You should not ask this question?" said Arjun.

"Why?"

"Because you are a police officer."

Arjun conveyed the updates to the commissioner and in minutes the police vehicles and ambulances arrived at the encounter spot. The medical officials carried the dead bodies to the nearby government hospital for an autopsy, and Arjun along with the remaining team started to Rajahmundry.

A retrospection was held the following day under the authority of the Director-general of Police and Greyhounds commissioner. Arjun gave them the entire sketch of events beginning from their entry till exit. 

The DGP appreciated Arjun and his team for completing the mission and expressed his condolence for the death of commando Nagesh.

"Mr. Arjun, I got news for you," said the DGP, "Calculating all the efforts you had put in to serve your duty with great care and concern, the selection committee has promoted you to the position of Circle-Inspector for Madhapur Jurisdiction Hyderabad."

To be continued…