Smitha threw the bag on the floor and hugging me tight she burst into tears. It was raining outside and amidst thunder, Smitha ran with her life. She reached my house and she was grasping for breath. Her face was covered with fear, eye’s almost coming out. She could just run away from her burning house with her schoolbag. The Maoists have warned her father previously, to leave the driver’s job in the collector’s office. But, her father has no choice, how he would support the family if he leaves the job? They were not against the Maoist ideology of improving the lives of poor villagers. But they were totally against killing innocent people and destruction of public infrastructure.
It was almost five years ago Smitha’s father, Sukhdev was driving the old Willy jeep with the junior officer accompanying him. It was the semi-forested, hilly terrain of Chattisgarh, Sukhdev knew the road and the terrain from a young age. Just before the turning of the Redman’s point, he noticed some tree trunks blocking the road. But before he could make out the source of the problem, he was stopped by four masked and armed persons. He and his accompanying co-passenger were hand cuffed and their eyes were blindfolded. They left the jeep and started walking; Sukhdev realized that they were walking towards the forest. After nearly 15 to 20 minutes of walk they stopped and their blindfold was opened up and Sukhdev and his companion, officer found themselves in a cave. They saw themselves surrounded by three armed and camouflaged men. After some time the fourth one returned with another one, who seemed to be their leader. They were calling him, ‘Comrade’; he ordered them to remove their cover of the mouth. Sukhdev asked why they were taken hostage. The comrade with a slight smile on his face, warned him to leave the job and join them.
They were released, that day but were warned not to work against the Maoist ideology. Some days later the junior officer applied for a transfer. But Sukhdev was unable to find an alternative because, where he will go leaving his family and home? His daughter about ten years old is studying in class V and his son is only four years old. His wife is also not well these days; Sukhdev is passing through very difficult times. Then, he also has to take care of his old and feeble, mother. Where he will go? He could not see any alternative, and was always living in a sense of fear. Some days before, he received a warning letter from a local comrade; they started unnecessarily harassing him and his family, specially his daughter. Smitha is abused for nothing by his teachers and classmates. I met Smitha on a wet rainy day, while I was returning from my school. For the last nine months, I am living in Chattisgarh near Dantewara and working as a primary school teacher.
I came in close with Smitha’s family, when her father was threatened with dire consequences in the middle of the local market. I was present there at that point and tried my best to protect Sukhdev. Later, I learnt that Smitha is his daughter. They are a poor and peace loving simple family, the Maoists are after them because of Sukhdev’s job as a driver in local collectorate. But Sukhdev could hardly afford to leave the job amidst unsecured circumstances. He would often come to me and seek some type of mental consolation, but I could hardly provide any concrete help except verbal sympathy. I cared for Smitha and looked her as my daughter; she would also call me “Mastarji” and seek help in learning her lessons. Gradually, I came very close to their family and would visit their home on weekday’s. Smitha’s Grandma and her mother would often gift me their farm produce. All was going on as usual, then on the 15th of July I got a letter, with a red insignia warning me of not to meet, Sukhdev’s family anymore. I was totally astonished, they are trying to control my personal life but I am totally helpless in this unknown place. My colleagues also advised me to remain cautious and calm and hear the Maoist warnings.
After knowing that the rebels also warned me, Sukhdev became a little cautious in meeting me frequently, Smitha also became irregular. Within a month, we felt that matters have settled down and we continued with our earlier, normal relations. We were totally unaware that, what was in store for us about a month later on Sept.15th night. All was going on as usual, and then the fateful day came silently just as death comes and snatches away one’s life. It was a little hot day and towards late afternoon, black clouds were visible far away at a distance in the southern skies. Everyone was returning home after sunset, now days a few solar powered street lamps are visible in Dantewara town in the evening. From a sleepy small town-village mixture it is gradually transforming itself into a mining hub. Peace is gradually moving out and crime is taking its hold and Maoists are creating an additional problem for the people. That evening, Smitha was out for tuition and her father was on duty. To beat the heat her mother and grandma and his brother was outside, sitting on a mattress. On his way home, Sukhdev will bring some vegetables from the market and Smitha’s mother will cook and they will have a hot meal. On her way home from tuition, Smitha saw smoke from a distance, when she is just a few meters away saw her house burning. Her father lying injured on the ground injured and bleeding and she ran towards my home to seek my help, for saving her family.
But I noticed a different, Smitha amidst fear, a sign of revenge gradually gaining prominence in her face.
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| MOTHER'S DAY BEST GIFT FROM "BARNES & NOBLE" |
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