3

2015 Ravi Ranjan Goswami

This novelette is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters, organizations and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination.

Ravi Ranjan Goswami

1- DESIRE TO SEE PHOOLAN DEVI

1st Day of December 1982, winter of north India in Jhansi, about 2-30pm my close friend Rajesh and I were heading towards the Elite cinema hall. I was sitting on the rear carrier of his bicycle. Rajesh was pedaling hard to reach there in time for the matinee show. We were just teenagers then.

The weather was cold, but we were sweating as we were over dressed with warm clothes for that sunny afternoon. Another cause of this was our excitemen. We were daring to go to watch a movie in the same cinema hall where the then notorious and dreaded bandit queen Phoolan Devi was also coming to view the movie of Amitabh Bachchan titled Namak halal.

After the massacre of Bahmai, a village located in the Kanpur Dehat district of Uttar-Pradesh state,India, by the bandit queen Phoolan Devi and before her surrender several times we heard different rumors about her. That day we heard that Phoolan Devi was about to come to the Elite cinema to watch movie wearing a burqa.

When we reached a little ahead of the Rani Lakshmibai park the statue of Jawahar Lal Nehru, installed at the Elite junction, became visible to us. In a few minutes we reached the theater.

There was a long queue at the ticket window and there were standing a few burqa clad women in the queue. When we were about to join the queue a police jeep stopped near the entrance of the theater. Though these were not any uncommon occurrences, for us that day, every burqa clad lady was a suspected Phoolan Devi and the police presence also seemed to be because of her.

We had read stories in newspapers about police encounters with the outlaws. We genuinely feared getting caught in the crossfire between the police and the bandit queen. Rajesh suggested to go for some other movie. I agreed readily. We changed our plan and we went for a different movie in a different theater that day.

Phoolan Devi surrendered in February 1983. After she surrendered, all rumors about her were stopped. Now people were more curious to know her as a person and to know about her life.

I too wanted to see her as media always added adjectives like Dacoit beauty or Bandit queen before her name. After Phoolan Devi surrendered, her photograph appeared in newspapers. There was a very young, short and slim young lady in pants and shirts with a scarf tied around her head, covering her forehead holding a rifle in one hand. She looked a normal young woman, but for her attire and gun. I was a little thrilled and highly surprised that how she had killed twenty men in one go to avenge her dishonor by them as was alleged. After Phoolans surrender there was peace in the Chambal region for a few months. After that, new struggle started among different Dacoits and their gangs for establishing their domination in the Chambal ravines and the surrounding area. Seeing the fame, facilities and political support extended to Phoolan Devi, a few men and women Dacoits started to think of committing something bigger and then to surrender.

2

BECOMING A POLICE OFFICER

About seven years later.

After obtaining a degree of Bachelor of science, I appeared for the Indian civil service examination. In my second attempt I was successful in getting selected for the Indian Police Service.

After training I got my first posting as assistant police superintendent at Gwalior. I had not expected to be posted so near to my place Jhansi. I was happy, but my family members were not very happy as I was attached to the Dacoits eradication program. My family members started pressurizing me to further try for the Indian Administrative Service. Actually, I too wished to run for an IAS job, but I was not sure that I could find adequate time to prepare for the examination.

When I was a kid, I heard various tales of the Dacoits. More or less those tales depicted Dacoits as brave, rebellious and compassionate towards the hapless. Later I read in some book that during a period of time some common people rebelled against the exploitative Jamindars and other upper and rich class people .They were called Bagi. Society and the rulers called them Dacoits. The Dacoits of Chambal area still preferred calling themselves as Bagis instead of the Dacoits.

Chambal ravines have always been famous for dacoits. Geological and social political conditions of the area were also responsible for keeping this area always infested by Dacoits.

3

GOING IN A BARAT

In a weeks time since I arrived in Gwalior.

Seth Girdharis house was bustling with activities in connection with the marriage of his elder son Ramesh, which was to be solemnized at the brides house in Morena. He was tense. He awaited a phone call from Jimmy. He had told him to give him a call as soon as the work was done and come back before his sons marriage. Seth Girdhari had booked a luxury bus for the marriage party comprising of his kins, relatives and friends who would be going to Morena to participate and celebrate the marriage ceremony of his son Ramesh with Ragini a daughter of a rich businessman of Morena.

Seth Girdhari had given the responsibility of welcoming and looking after all the guests to his younger brother Krishna Gopal and younger son Suresh. The following day the Barat (marriage party) was about to leave for Morena. Nearly all his relatives had arrived. Seth was eagerly waiting for Jimmy. Jimmy was a trusted employee of Seth Gopinath, who was a close friend of Girdhari.

Jimmy had been assigned the job of procuring modern gold ornaments worth ten Lakh rupees. These ornaments were meant to be displayed and given to the bride at the time of marriage. Eventually, Jimmy arrived and Seth became relaxed.

The following day at about 12oclock in the noon the bus set out for Morena with the loud chanting of Shri Ramchandra ki jay Pawan Putra Hanuman ki jay (victory of lord Rama and son of wind Shri Hanuman). According to local practice and for safety two gunmen were also taken to escort the marriage party. These gunmen were not any hired professional. They were some relatives of Seth Girdhari. There were around 50 persons, including a few children in the Barat. Among them, I was also there. Ramesh was my former schoolmate and friend. He had invited me to his marriage and insisted on my joining his Barat.

4

BREAK IN JOURNEY

Inside the bus Ramesh the bridegroom and one of his friends were seated just behind the driver. Seth Girdhari and Gopinath occupied the front seat on the left side of the driver. One gunman sat on top of the bus among the luggage of the members of the marriage party. Second gunman occupied the seat near the front entrance door of the bus. I sat behind this gunman. Younger gang, including children preferred to occupy the rear section of the bus. After some time they started to play the game of Antyakshary (a type of game of songs) Everybody was in a happy and joyful mood. This journey was not supposed to be a long journey. Distance was about 40 km and the bus could reach Morena in an hour or so. But this journey was fated to be longer than that anybody could think.

We might have travelled for about twenty minutes one hind wheel got punctured.

The bus driver and his assistant brought down a spare wheel from the bus and commenced an effort to replace the punctured wheel with that. All people came out of the bus. A few individuals went to nearby bushes to pass urine. In the vicinity there were wild thorny bushes, plum, asian ebony and tamarind trees. A few kids started throwing pebbles to down tamarinds and started collecting them. A few children plucked plums and filled their pockets to enjoy later on the bus.

In about half an hour bus was ready to move. We all got on the bus and occupied our respective seats. Once more bus started with the invocation of Bhagwan Shri Ram and Hanuman.

The driver started playing popular filmy tracks on the buss stereo. Young men and children started swaying and dancing with the music. Suddenly the bus started shaking. It was running over a bad patch of the road. All passengers sat down firmly in their seats. Outside sun was hot. Seth Girdhari sighted ahead, a big mango tree. He told the driver to stop near that tree. The bus driver stopped the bus under shade of the tree. Seth asked Suresh to distribute soft drink bottles to all on the bus. Suresh and a few other boys took out Coca Cola and Fanta soft drink bottles from a freezer box kept in the front part of the bus and handed along to all the passengers. Water cans were also kept in the bus, but because of summer season most people carried with them plastic water bottles or thermos flasks filled with water. The journey was also not a lot longer. They were supposed to reach their destination at lunch time. There brides party had to arrange for their boarding and lodging. So they did not carry food along with them. Considering the presence of children in the marriage party enough quantity of fruits and biscuit packets had been stored in the bus. They were also distributed among all the passengers.

Once again bus started its journey towards the destination.

5

ROBBERS HILL

Away from the atmosphere of competitiveness, rivalry, politics and bloodshed of the main Chambal area, at one corner of the Chambal region itself, there was a village named Robbers Hill. Kailash Pandey lived there. The 23-year-old young man looked like any other normal young man. He was five feet eight inch tall, fair and was master of a well built body. He was not educated, but he had learnt how to read and write Hindi. Kidnapping for ransom was his inherited profession. Since childhood, he has grown up seeing his father doing the like.

His father Ram Ratan Pandey had successfully run this business for more than two decades. Kailash was the only child to his parents. Two years ago, Pandey had taken a sort of retirement, handing over the reign of his gang to his son Kailash. Pande constructed a small Hanuman temple in the village. Most of his time, he remained at the temple. Some veterans, retired and some surrendered ex-Dacoits often-assembled there and shared their tales of adventures. There were a total of twenty-five families and the total population might be close to one hundred. It was alleged that they were descended of rebels who initially revolted against their exploitation by landlords and other rich upper class and took up the gun. Some rebels even fought against the British.

A new generation had come of age along with Kailash and the youth of that village like him who had adopted robbery and kidnapping like a family business. Kailash's father Ram Ratan Pandey was head of the village. He was also called Bhagat ji l He had certain qualities. He was always sympathetic and helpful towards the poor and always respected women. He always maintained friendly relations with police officials and politicians. He did not believe in unnecessary violence. The people of the village had a great respect and loyalty for him. And though kidnapping and ransom had been his main avocation he was never arrested in his career of twenty years Kailash had also inherited some of his fathers characteristics.

Kailash had been participating in the robbery and kidnapping operations of his father for quite some time, so when his father decided to step down and retire giving responsibility to him he did not find any difficulty. He was strong and smart, so he was easily accepted as the gang leader by the members of the gang.

6

BANDITS PLAN TO KIDNAP

That day Kailashs informer reported that next day marriage party of a son of a rich man was about to go from Gwalior to Morena Kailash knew it well that it was not an easy task to loot a Barat. They had to face a big number of people and often they carry a few gunmen with a marriage party for security purpose. Well, he summoned his gang. There were twenty members in his gang. They were of different sizes, shapes, age and temperament. But they all had one thing in common which kept them together and that was their faithfulness to Bhagatji and his son Kailash. All elderly members of the gang had earlier worked with Bhagatji and those who were younger, had been helped by Bhagatji in some or the other times. In an hours time the gang gathered on the terrace of Kailashs house.

Kailash , Ramu , Bhola, Dhakkan and other members of the gang sat in a ring on the terrace of the Kailashs house. Bhola took out a small cloth sack from his trouser pocket. From that he took a small tube filled with lime. That sack was containing tobacco also. He poured some tobacco on his left palm. He squeezed the lime tube and took a small amount of lime with his right first finger and mixed it with tobacco. He further finely mixed the tobacco and lime by rubbing the mixture against his left palm with his right thumb for about half a minute. Then he presented this ready for chewing tobacco to the people sitting near him. They took small amounts of this tobacco and kept in their mouth. To the people sitting at a distance the tobacco pouch and lime were passed over so that they themselves could prepare their doses of tobacco. Some people lighted beedis and cigarette. Kailash neither chewed tobacco nor smoked.

Shakti Singh came straight from the country liquor bar. He looked a bit drunk. Immediately on arriving he shot a question in the air what is the matter today?"

Kailash started." Nanhe barber has informed that tomorrow afternoon a very rich mans marriage party will be going from Gwalior to Morena by a bus. If we loot or hijack that bus we can get so much booty that we can live for a year without doing any work.

Sivan uncle cautioned." Looting or hijacking the bus is not an easy task as there will be many people in the bus and also there may be armed security with the marriage party. I have also heard a special police force has been deployed in the area to look after us.The last sentence he had said as a joke to bring in a little humor in conversation. Though he had heard right. Sivan was a senior member of the gang. Many boys of the gang called him uncle. He suggested to get advice from Bhagatji also.

They all proceeded to Bhagatjis Hanuman temple to seek his advice..

Sivan told him the situation and asked his opinion. Bhagatji said "Dont take much risk by trying to rob the bus in broad daylight. I guess kidnapping a few people from the wedding bus will be easier and will bring comfortably good ransom. Shakti Singh had a flash of an idea. He suggested that they should attack the bus on its return trip as that time bride will also be with the marriage party. Then, they could kidnap the bride as well. Besides ransom, the gold ornaments worth lakhs of rupees will be their bonus.

Bhagatji said , No. Not the bride. He always honored women. He had never kidnapped a woman. This was topmost ideal of the RobbersHill village that respect the woman. Kailash followed his father thoroughly in this matter. Even Bhagatji fought several times with other gangs to free kidnapped girls and ladies. He never minded raising a gun to save the honor of a woman.

7

DIFFERENT WORLDS

This is a fact that at the same time, every member in the same household may be living in a different world. Every ones world is produced by ones own ideas, experiences and personal conditions. I wondered how many worlds might be simultaneously existing in that bus. In an environment full of happiness and exhilaration of the wedding party people were drawn occasionally inadvertently to their mental worlds. I imagined Ramesh must be thinking about his wife to be and his honeymoon and must be feeling glad. I imagined his world to be colorful at that time. Perhaps the priest might be thinking about receiving a handsome amount for conducting the wedding. Seth Gopichand might be thinking about some past or future business. Children had their own world. They were enjoying and creating a lively atmosphere. Generally people have complained against the drivers that they drive fast, but people were feeling the driver of this bus quite slow. By that time they ought to have reached Morena. Instead, they were just approaching Madhopur, a place on the way to Morena. Finally, we reached Morena. We were lodged in a good hotel. After lunch we rested for the day. The late evening marriage procession was led to the brides house with a special music band and lights. The bridegroom rode on a horse like a prince to the brides house. The marriage was solemnized during night. We enjoyed the hospitality of the brides family. The Next day we had to return.

8

TRAP BY ROBBERS

On the day the bus, carrying the wedding party was about to return from Morena, Kailash and his gang arrived on the intended road at a suitable spot in two jeeps at about 10am. Some people came on motorcycles. It was probably done to leave room in the jeeps to carry persons to be kidnapped. Kailash was in a police inspectors uniform. The rest were in the dress of fellow constables and sepoys. Some of them were having .303 rifles. A few others had shotguns and pistols. Kailash had a revolver with him. Jeeps had also been painted like police jeeps. According to Nanhes information the bus was expected, there between 11 and 11-30 am but Indian marriages are so elaborate that it is very difficult to maintain a fixed schedule of events. So Nanhe could not tell any fixed time confidently.

All had been told about their roles. The gangs top most priority was to first overpower the two gunmen accompanying the wedding party as informed by their informer Nanhe.

Meanwhile, a few passenger buses and tempos were gone in both directions. Nanhe climbed a Neem tree so as to discern the target in advance. He could recognize that bus. At about quarter to twelve he spotted a green deluxe bus coming in their direction. That was the targeted bus. Nanhe barber blew a whistle and quickly got down the tree. Kailash signaled the driver of a jeep. The driver immediately pulled up the jeep and parked across the road, barring the way. Just like a police party they stood in the way and waved hands to stop the bus. The driver applied brakes and stopped the bus with a jolt. People looked out to understand the cause of the sudden stop. They saw a police party out there. They relaxed thinking this to be a routine check by the police.

Kailash and Bhure went to the driver and asked him to show his driving license.

Laccha and Ghanshyam commanded the gunman sitting atop the bus to climb down. He obeyed instantly. They took his gun as if to examine and shot a question "is it yours? Do you possess license?"

At the same time Shakti Singh and Goli shouted at the gunman sitting inside the bus near the entrance and asked him in an authoritative tone to get down the bus. He also obeyed. They almost snatched his gun. Only hard core criminals may dare disobey or resist the police. The common man generally cooperates with the police, though often because of fear.

All of a sudden my eyes caught something glaringly uncommon about those police personnel. They were wearing shoes of different kinds and those were not the prescribed police uniform shoes.

Oh God!I thought desperately and shouted, They are not policemen. They are Dacoits. But by then it was too late. The guns were pointed at the disarmed gunmen. The rest of the armed robbers barged into the bus. They threatened us and ordered us to get down the bus. All followed their orders. I also did not have a choice. We all were lined up on one side of the road with our backs toward them. The bride and groom stood together at one side. The bride had clutched the sleeve of the bridegroom out of fright. We were profusely sweating because of fear and hot weather. I wished that I ought to have a revolver with me at that time. Well, like any other passenger I stood quietly.

A robber went to the bride. He ordered her to remove the jewelry. The bride looked a little hesitatingly towards her husband. The bridegroom nodded to comply. The bride started removing her jewelry. The robber was a bit drunk and impatient. He grabbed a hand of the bride and started taking off the gold bangles with force. The groom could not contain himself and resisted the robber. The robber was already a bit drunk. The touch of a young woman had a multiplier effect on his state of intoxication. So when the bridegroom resisted, he felt disturbed and angry. He pushed hard the groom and pointed his gun at him. The bride came in between her husband and the robber and pleaded the robber not to shoot. She started getting rid of her jewelry fast and passing over to the robber. To remove the necklace she raised both her hands and tried to unhook it at the back of the neck. In this effort her breasts were lifted and looked more round and full. The robber could not control himself , he set his palms on them. Bride shrieked. Somebody shouted his name in a threateningly loud voice, Shaktiiiiiii ! His name was Shakti. He immediately withdrew his hands. The bride removed the necklace, the last ornament on her person and handed over to the robber. He kept all jewelry in his long pant pocket and immediately left that position. The person, who had shouted him out was the gang leader Kailash. Dacoits were in a hurry. They had to finish their operation, before any chance interruption. They stuffed as many of the passengers as could be packed in the jeeps. Unfortunately, I was also included in that group. They then fired three shots into the air and drove down the jeeps from the main road to a rugged off-side road and proceeded rapidly towards an unknown destination and vanished shortly from the eyes of the people left behind.

Dacoits had gone out of sight, but people were still scared. Everyone sat down quickly inside the bus. The driver raced the bus at high speed towards Gwalio

9

BRIDE ARRIVES WITHOUT BRIDEGROOM.

The driver took the bus straight to the house of Girdhari Seth and parked it in front of the house.

Since after the departure of the Barat women folk of the house had been enjoying themselves with traditional music, songs and gimmicks and waiting for the Barat to return. On seeing the bus Ramesh's mother and other women came to the door with a Thali with a lighted earthen lamp and turmeric powder paste and some rice grains in it to accord a traditional ritualistic welcome to the newly- wed couple before entering the house. Some young women went running over to the bus to see and escort the new bride. New bride had veiled her face as she was supposed to do according to the local tradition. The young ladies helped her in getting down the bus and escorted her to the entrance of the house where women of the house were waiting to welcome her. Rameshs mother was surprised not to see Ramesh coming along with the bride. Then she noticed brides wrists were without bangles and her neck and ears also without any jewelry. She was quite shocked. She understood that something very bad had happened. The bride came to her and started crying. She hugged her and asked the matter.Members of the marriage party, who had escaped from the robbers and returned, told the detail of the attack by bandits and kidnapping of Ramesh and a few others by them. Ramesh mother and all other women started weeping.

After some time people, including ladies controlled their emotions and gathered in a large room of the house and began discussing how to get the kidnapped people back. Rameshs old grandfather, who could not go with the Barat was also present there. They decided that the purpose of the kidnapping is generally ransom so they should wait for ransom demands. Everyone was afraid to seek the assistance of police. They thought that informing the police might risk the lives of the kidnapped. Some people suggested seeking the help of a particular local political leader. Everybody readily supported this suggestion. But then someone informed that the politician had gone to a foreign destination and would be back next week only.

Again gloom enveloped all. Finally the decision was taken to wait for the demand of ransom.

10

CAPTIVES IN A ROOM

Jeeps kept on running for a while. After reaching a comfortable distance from the main road jeeps were stopped at one place. Here our eyes were covered with black fabric straps by the Dacoits. Then again jeeps started running towards an unknown destination. The jeep in which I was travelling was having four children from 6 to 12 years and Ramesh.The other jeep was carrying Seth Gopichand and a few other persons unfamiliar to me. We had been ordered to stay quiet. So we were travelling silently. By changing sound of the Jeeps engine, I could guess when we were passing through rugged ravines and mud hills and when we were running through the course of open terrain.

On the way at one place I heard the sound of water flowing past and the air felt a bit cold. We probably were passing by the river or pond. Our jeep stopped suddenly at a place. From this location we took a half circular turn to the right and continued our journey.

After running half an hour or so jeeps were stopped. We were helped to get down the jeeps and were taken inside a room. There our straps were removed and our eyes were opened.

Kidnappers warned us that if anyone attempted to escape, the consequences will be very bad.

They gave us a blank paper and pen, and asked us to write our names, addresses and occupations. I asked everybody and wrote the demanded detail and gave that paper to them. Then they went out and the room was locked from the outside.

By the sound of their footsteps and the sound of the Jeep start, we realized that maybe they went somewhere.

We looked at each other and looked here and there in the room. The room was very old and in poor condition. The place had disturbed plaster walls and ceilings. An old rusty ceiling fan was hanging from the ceiling. There were spider webs in the corners of the room. There was only one door. There were two windows and two small ventilating widows. The two windows were closed; light and air were entering the room through the small ventilators.

Ramesh looked towards me and spoke, had you been spared we would have had a better chance of survival and early freedom.

Then he introduced me to rest of the people. I already knew the father of Ramesh. Among others were Radhelal, a teacher, children belonged to one maternal uncle of Ramesh and they came from Benares. Radhe was a friend of Ramesh's father and taught English at a prestigious school in Gwalior. There were three relatives of Ramesh named Munnalal, Pritam and Kallu. Other names I cannot remember.

I requested them not to disclose to bandits that I was a police officer as that might put all of us in more danger.

We have ten to twelve people, the room was small. We were disturbed by the heat and suffocation. There was a small hole in the wooden door. I peeked out through that. I could see nothing but soils and some thorny shrubs. I guessed that someone must be guarding us, but I could not see anyone through the hole. It was 4 o'clock in the evening. There was still enough sunlight.

The room had a bulb holder which was holding a dirt ridden bulb. I found a switch board having two switches next to the door. I put on both the switches. The fan started with a thud and the bulb lighted. Found some relief. I put off the bulb. The greatest relief we found when we saw in a corner a large clay pitcher filled with water and a plastic mug was placed over it. We all were thirsty. We drank water from the pitcher.

The floor was not clean, but I sat on the floor, resting by back against a wall. I saw everyone sitting down. Children were distraught, frightened and weary. Youngest child lay down on the ground. In a little while some of us were reclining against walls and a few were sitting on the ground. Intense anxiety was palpable on the faces of all. Ramesh was still in the groom's attire. Only turban was not on his head. He had removed the turban and kept in the bus. Ramesh was especially concerned about his father. He was suffering from cardiovascular disorders. So when somebody said that if we could find when the kidnappers were not around, we could break away, Ramesh opposed it. I too did not support the idea. We did not know where we were at that time. Also, I believed that we had been kept under watch. It seemed to me that we had been kidnapped by a large and dangerous gang. Holding so many people captive together could not be the work of any ordinary gang. We rejected the idea of breaking the door and escaping. All fell silent. Maybe everyone was thinking the course about a new possibility. I noticed the children were too cool. The little boy was asleep lying supine. I was trying to recollect what I had read in an office file, which had the profiles of past and currently active major bandits and the gangs of Gwalior, Morena, Dholpur and surrounding Chambal area. If the area could be sensed I could probably figure out we were a victim of which gang.

I looked at my wrist watch. It was almost six o'clock. Suddenly we heard the loud noise of a train passing. We were all startled. I tried to open the windows. The windows were jammed, but they were opened when I pushed them hard. Through the window at one side we could see a railway track in the vicinity. Now it appeared, that room was some old abandoned railway office. The room might be for a railway employee. The gang had used this timeworn vacant room in secluded area to hide us.

I thought if we ran along the railway line, it will lead to a railway station where we could get all the necessary help. But did not know how far would be that place.

The little boy sat up suddenly and began to cry as well. Ramesh consoled him. His brothers also tried to console him. He stopped crying. It was dusk. Now room had become a bit dark. I turned on the light. The room was filled with enough light.

Little boy was hungry and so were the other persons. I felt an intense sensation of helplessness. I did not know if we would get food, However, I consoled "we will get food." I was worried as I had heard that some gangs kept the abducted people hungry so that they became weak and vulnerable and could not run away from the captivity

Lord, I prayed to God to give something to eat, especially to children.

We heard some voices and steps outside the room around 8 pm. We became cautious. Then there came the sound of the lock opening. The next moment the door was opened with a bang. There appeared black faces of two gunmen who had big mustaches and beards. They looked ferocious. They entered the room. One of them had a parcel in his hands. He kept the parcel on the floor and said "There is food"

The other one spoke with a local accent in a typical language and said "if you want to piss or shit you can go out. For washing there is a pond nearby. Dont try to escape. If anybody tries to run away we will shoot"

We had been confined to the room for many hours. Almost all needed and liked to go out for a while. We were all standing. Then he said, "Go two persons at a time." We did that

A man stood at the door of the room. The other monitored outside.

Two-two people went outside by turns. I went out together with Ramesh. In the bushes near the pond after passing urine I casually stood around while I watched the area. I was able to see because of the moonlight. The area around had the sand, dry grass and barren land and nothing else. At a far away distance I could see a cluster of large and dense trees. Ramesh was waiting for me. Lest there come any doubt in the mind of the kidnappers I preferred not to be there for long. We returned back to the room.

Food packet was opened. That contained many rotis, enough dry cooked vegetables and raw onions. We shared the food. As we were hungry food tasted good. We washed hands and drank cold water from the earthen pitcher.

It appeared that the food was brought from someone's house. So we were relieved to see a little humanity in these bandits. We had heard stories of their brutality and cruelty also.

After dinner door was again locked from the outside.

11

LETTER OF RANSOM

The other day a letter was brought to Ramesh's house by a young boy of the vicinity. This letter was given to him by a strange man, who had told him to give it to someone in the house. He handed the letter to Ramesh's mother. It contained the list of names of the kidnapped persons and an amount was written next to each name. This was also written that free your people by paying the amount and If the matter was reported to police consequences would be bad.

Ramesh's mother covered her head with her saree Pallu as a token of respect and gave the letter to her father-in-law. The letter was read by all persons present there. Concerns were evident on the faces of all.

The letter was written in a rough hand and read so--

Seth,

Your people are in our possession. They will be freed for the following ransoms.

Seth Gopichand ten lakh. Seth Girdhari -Ten lakh. Ramesh- Ten lakh. Two lakh for four children, Radhelal master- Two lakh, Rajan, Munnalal, Pritam,Ranjan and Kallu one and half lakh each. If matter reported to the police the consequences will be very bad and then you'll be responsible for that. When you are ready with the money hoist a green flag on your roof top.

Yours

DASYU SARDAR

KAILASH PANDEY

Kailashs name seal was also stamped. The practice of applying personal seal on the ransom letter was not new among the dacoits of Chambal region. This showed the audacity of the strong leader of the gang stood firmly established. Seal made the letter look authentic and was taken seriously enough.

Consequently People arranged and deposited the ransom money with Rameshs grandfather in two days time.

A green flag was hoisted on the roof top.

12

SHIFTING

At night restlessness of children increased .They asked Ramesh, "When shall we go home?" No response came immediately to Ramesh. I said "We will sleep at night right here. Maybe tomorrow someone will come to take us. I said so to prepare them mentally to sleep there that night.

Because of the heat and mosquitoes none could have a good sleep during night.

So we were not properly awake at five in the morning when the sound of the footsteps of some people assailed our ears. In the next few seconds, the door opened and four gunmen covering their faces with scarves entered the room. One of them asked everyone to stand up. We immediately stood up. They brought with them black cloth straps. They tied straps and covered our eyes. We were helped to move out of the room and proceed to the jeeps. We were being transferred to a new, unknown location. I guessed we were going towards the north, but soon I lost all sense of direction as the jeeps passed through so many twists and turns on the way.

13

TEMPLE OF KALI

Just outside the village Robbers hill, on a small hill top there was a temple of Goddess Kali. This was an important temple of the area, but according to local belief and tradition people used to go to this temple only to thank the goddess to fulfill their special wishes. For this too, Friday was a fixed day. The rest of the day that place remained secluded and peaceful. However, during Navratri festival all nine days people could visit the temple and worship the Goddess.

That was not Friday. Navratri were still away. At dusk there was sitting a sharp featured dusky tall and slim girl on the staircase of the temple in the twilight. She had beautiful big black eyes, black, thick and long hair. She was waiting for Kailash.

Her dark, thick and long hair braid was hanging in front of her bosom. It was Parvati. Her eyes were on the staircase from ground to the hill top. Kailash surprised her by coming from behind. He did not come by way of the stairs, he climbed the hill from the back side.

Parvati complained "took so long?

Sitting next to her Kailash said, "Was stuck in something."

She asked, Have you had a big catch? Have you kidnapped many persons from a Barat? "

Kailash asked, "How do you know?"

Shakti Singh came drunk to my house yesterday. He told my mother about this. He was saying that this time your gang has looted a Barat and kidnapped many rich people. Huge ransom is demanded. Everybody will be getting a big amount. He even asked my mother to marry me with himself.

Kailash uttered, "the addict will die himself and get us killed too.

Kailash felt angry.

Kailash asked Parvati casually, "Whom will you marry, me or Shakti Singh?"

Parvati got up and looking at Kailash, retorted, "I will not marry any robber.

Saying thus she turned and briskly walked to the stairs down the hill. Kailash lay down and contemplated that why Parvati said so when she was also from the family of the Dacoits.

14

PARVATI AND HER MOTHER

Parvati and her mother had come there from another village. Kailash's father resettled them in his village. Parvati was the daughter of Sardar Thakur Singh a Bandit. She had two older brothers. Father virtually ruled his village and its surrounding areas.

She was born and brought up in a dacoits family. Robbers and their profession were not strange to her. And she had heard that the rich became rich by exploiting the poor, so looting the rich was no crime.

Her mother sometimes advised her husband and sons to surrender. She had heard that the government was soft on the surrendered Dacoits and even helped them in their rehabilitation after they served their term in jail. But they did not listen.

One day her worst fear came to be true. In a police encounter she lost her husband and sons together. Parvati was fifteen years old at that time.

There was no male member left in the family. Some of the gang members who did not dare speak to them earlier now saw them with lust. Parvati had learned to fire the gun and there was a gun in the house so those dacoits could not take on them easily. But there was constant danger for mother and daughter and they were scared. Hence they decided to leave the village.

During the course of a night they put the jewelry and cash in a cloth bundle and got out of their home. Mother had put the veil to hide herself. Parvati was wearing Khaki pants, shirt. She left her hair loose on her back and shoulder, tied a scarf covering her forehead and preventing her hair from coming to her eyes. She carried a loaded double barrel gun on her shoulder. They moved quickly towards the outside of the village. In those areas, it was normal to carry a gun.

Two of the traitors of Thakur Singh's gang saw them.

They were tempted to plunder the wealth of Thakur Singh. They were sure that these women were carrying valuables in the bundle. Both followed them. Parvati and her mother's had planned to reach the main road and board the first bus just to go away from the area. Later they would think their future course of action. Parvati had an uncle at Dholpur. They would go there if they could.

They had to walk four miles to reach the bus road. Suddenly Parvati realized that someone was following them. Parvati tightened her grip on the gun.

She looked back. It was not difficult for her to be able to tell that they were robbers. Parvati was aware that the robbers intentions were dangerous.

Parvati asked her mother to walk faster. When they increased the speed, the two bandits also began to walk faster. Parvati had seen that they had guns. Parvati removed the gun from her shoulder and took the gun in her left hand.

Parvati had decided what to do. She told the mother that the right side ahead there was a mangrove. They had to run towards that direction when they reached there. She further told her mother to walk slower.

They started walking slow. They had reached almost an isolated place. The robbers, perhaps, were waiting for this opportunity. They overtook them and blocked their way. One of them said to Parvatis mother, "Where are you going sister-in -law like this?"

Another said, "Go as you wish. Leave the bundle and the girl with us. "

Hearing this mother flew into a rage. After all, she was from a Rajput family and she too had drunk the water of Chambal. She removed her veil, shielded Parvati and challenged the Dacoits, Dont dare come near my daughter, I will cut you into pieces.

Parvati snatched the bundle from the mother and threw it flying over their heads. They looked back in the direction of the throw, out of reflex action. Parvati then raised the gun with a lightning speed with her left-hand to her right shoulder and shot in the hip of the person who was in front of her by pulling the trigger by the right hand finger. He fell forward with a shriek. The second robber instantly turned and took off his shoulder gun, Parvati did now allow him a second and shot in his stomach. He held his stomach and fell to the ground groaning. Parvati grabbed the mother's hand and ran to the mangrove. They stopped to rest for a while inside the mangrove. Mangrove was almost dark. Sometimes the moonlight filtered through the trees reached. They discussed and discarded the idea of going to the main road. After Parvati shot the two bandits they were afraid of coming across any police patrolling party. The other side of the Mangroves, there lay an arid and rugged land spread over an area. They knew that three miles south of that place there was a hill of Kali Devi and other side of that hill there was the village called Robbers Hill. They had visited the Kali devi temple during Navratri festival. They had known the reputation of the former Dacoit Bhagatji.

Parvati's mother said to her, "Where shall we go during the night? I think we should go to the Bhagatjis temple. "Parvati had shot two robbers to save her honor, but was too scared now. She agreed with the mother.

About two hours later, they showed up at the Hanuman temple made outside of the village RobbersHill. Bhagat was there at that time. They told him their calamity. Bhagat gave them shelter in the village and made arrangements for their stay. They felt that there they were most safe. They settled down there. By selling some of the jewelry they made a two-room house. Bought a small piece of farmland and started cultivating the vegetable for their living. A few months later, they came to know that the bandits shot by Parvati were saved, but later they were killed in an encounter with the police. Both the mother and daughter were relieved.

Robbers hill and its surrounding area were extremely safe for women.

For the previous two decades, no incident of molestation or rape had come to light in and around the village. People in the region feared and had a great respect for Bhagatji as well.

There lived two eunuchs in the village. There was a fable in the village that years ago these eunuchs were men, who sexually assaulted a local woman. Bhagatji punished them. Since then they had been like this.

15

NEW LOCATION

I had stopped to guess directions. It was of no use as I did not know the geography of the region. Though a few years later, as part of my duty I covered every inch of Chambal territory affected by the bandits. Based on my experiences, I can say that the Kailash and Bhagat were gentlemen bandits.

Jeeps were stopped at a place. We were taken to a place and our eyes were opened.

We had come after spending the night in a dirty and congested room. This place was heaven. It was a small garden or rather a little Farmhouse. The fruit trees, flower beds and Lawns everything was there. There were two rooms on one side. The garden was surrounded by a high wall. There was one big iron- gate through which we had entered there.

One robber said, There is a cooking stove, kitchen utensils, provision, water everything inside rooms. Prepare our Dal and Rotis for your lunch. Five or six of our people will also eat so prepare some extra food.

They went out and locked the gate from the outside. Now the big question was- who will cook the food?

Thankfully, they just asked us to prepare Dal and Rotis but we feared their reactions if food was not made to their taste. After all, the teacher and I took up the responsibility of cooking. The teacher was an experienced cook. Cooking Dal did not need much effort, but making about 100 rotis for about twenty persons took considerable time.

We felt hungry, but did not dare to eat without permission of the bandits. We did not have even breakfast yet we waited for them.

At about 12.30 gate was opened and six musclemen came inside. We took a while to recognize them. We had seen them earlier in police uniform.

16

NEWS PAPER CUTTING

Among them was a young man wearing a white Kurta- pajama. We recognized him. He had put on the police inspectors uniform that day when they abducted us and he was the gang leader.

He said looking at us, "I am Kailash Pandey. We will keep you in comfort. Do not try to escape. As soon as we receive the ransom we will free you guys. "

We did not know how much ransom had been sought to leave us. At that time we did not dare to ask also.

He asked for food. He sat down in the lawn along with other bandits. We served them food and water. Plates, bowls and glasses were available in sufficient numbers. Kailash surprised us when after food he told two of his companions to help us wash dishes and to serve us food. We also had food later.

He further surprised us when he asked the children, their names and about their standard in school.

Feeling the atmosphere conducive, Seth Girdhari suggested and requested him to free his son Ramesh so that he could arrange the ransom early. Kailash did not give any answer.

He suddenly asked us, Who is the teacher among you? We got afraid. Teacher Radhelal raised his hand and said, "I am the teacher."

"Do you know English?" Asked Kailash

Radhey Lal said, "I am a teacher of English."

Kailash had sparkles in the eyes. We could clearly see.

He called the master near him and made him sit on next to him respectfully. Kailash then pulled a paper from his Kurtas pocket. That was a cutting from an old English newspaper. Kailash gave that to the teacher and said, "I found this cutting in an old box lying in a corner of my house. This is a photograph of my grandfather's younger days. I cannot read English. Please read this for me. "

I thought many of us knew English, but he asked a teacher to read. I concluded that he had a sense of respect for teachers and was more confident of them

Teacher Radhelal read it for a while to himself. Kailash watched his face.

Then the teacher started reading aloud, "June 30, 1920, Gwalior, Ramtirth Pandey, a dacoit, who, along with the organization of the Dacoits of the Chambal region Shivaji Committee waged guerrilla war against the British for last eight years, has been killed in a police encounter. He carried an award of 20000/ on his head. However the native population considers and respects him as a martyr. Kailash became serious after hearing this. He thanked the teacher and went out with his partners. The gate was locked from the outside.

17

MY ESCAPE

They departed we all went down in the shade of a mango tree. At midday sun and heat, dense shade of the tree was very comfy. When all were resting I was thinking whether I should wait quietly for ransom or try for the release of the captives. I did not want to put the people in the danger. But how could I, a police officer not do anything?

My attention was attracted to a branch of a tree which went over the wall to the outside of the garden. That seemed a fine instrument for escaping. I decided to escape and run to a nearby police station and bring help. I told my plan to the group. A few persons tried to dissuade me rest were undecided. I made up my mind.

I went up the tree and reached the wall crawling on that branch. Hidden by the leaves I looked outside the boundary wall.

There were some thorny bushes, plum trees and sand dunes and some rocks here and there. A few hundred meters away a river was flowing. I knew armed guards were at the gate, which was not visible from that point I did not know if anyone was watching around boundary wall. But I decided to take a risk. The raw, muddy ground below was suitable for jump. It would not produce much sound and there was a lesser chance of getting injured. I crawled a little further on the branch hung myself from it lowering my legs. Thus, there became lesser distance between my feet and the ground below. Then I let go of the branch of the tree and jumped to the ground. I remained crouched there for a while sensing any movement around. Nobody came around. I raced to the river. River was flooded and its flow was terrible, but I had no option. I jumped into the river and left myself to the mercy of its current, which swept me several meters along with it in a few seconds. Then I started swimming across the river with my full might. I wanted to escape and reach a safe place. I could hear the firing sound of the guns coming from behind. Perhaps the armed guard saw me running away. I looked up ahead and guessed that I had to cover half a mile to reach the other bank of the river. I started swimming hard to reach the other side of the river faster. Suddenly I felt myself heavy then I realized. I had jumped into the water with all my clothes and shoes on. But I continued to swim and in half an hour I was resting there in the sand along the opposite bank of the river exhausted. A few yards away from the bank there were a thick cluster of bushes. I stood and ran to the bushes to hide myself behind them. I did not know that place. It seemed that I was probably somewhere around Morena. By intuition, I started walking in one direction. There was more dense jungle. I wished to find a village or a person from whom I could ask the nearest police post or a police station. Shortly I found a camp office Madhya Pradesh police.. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I introduce myself and told the whole story to the inspector there. He alerted his patrol boat, which was berthed at a short distance from there. He took a 6 member police team. We went to the boat and boarded it. It was a motor boat. In the course of ten minutes we reached the other side.

Shortly the little garden was surrounded by police. It was surprising that there was no guard at the gate. The inspector asked me to remain behind and he along with two armed policemen carefully went to the gate. He knocked that loudly. An old man opened the gate. The inspector pointed his revolver and led us inside.

There was nobody. I was surprised. I was afraid if any harm was done to them after I fled. Inspector opined that It was also possible the hostages had been shifted to a new hiding place. The old man, who opened the gate, was a gardener. On questioning, he said that two hours before everyone got out of there; he did not know where they went.

The gardener also informed that the farmhouse belonged to a politician who lived in Gwalior City.

Police searched two rooms there, but did not find any clue.

Police inspector instructed somebody at the camp office over Walkie-talkie to alert local police stations and search parties about this incident over wireless.

18

HOSTAGES FREED

Kailash had never thought that the course of his life would have such a big change so fast..

Since the teacher had translated the substance of the English newspaper cutting he had been feeling restless. He had the feeling of self-pride and guilt as well. He was proud of his father, who commanded so much respect in the Chambal region for his principled approach in his profession.

Knowing what his grandfather did in his lifetime had increased his pride in his lineage. He also felt a sort of compunction. He thought his father might be driven by some compulsions to lead the life of a Dacoit. What was his compulsion? Then he remembered that Parvati had said, She said, "I will not marry a robber."

He took a resolve in his heart.

Kailash had decided to go home and tell his father. Hearing his idea, his father was thoughtful for a few minutes.

Then he said, "Good. What I wished but could not have the courage to do, you are going to do. Be happy. "

His eyes had become moist telling thus.

Kailash told the mother. She had always wished the same. She was very happy.

Kailash touched the feet of his parents and quickly left the house.

He occupied the driving seat of the jeep and rode straight to the farm house alone. On seeing him guards came running to him and informed that one of the hostages had jumped over the boundary wall and fled. They chased him, but could not catch. They feared that Kailash would be furious with them. They became surprised and happy when he did not say anything.

Kailash got the gate open and went inside. He ordered all captives to move out and sit in the jeep immediately. They did not understand anything but the order was followed. This time there was only one jeep, but that was vacant. They all accommodated themselves in the jeep. Kailash started the Jeep and soon the Jeep was going fast along a new unknown kuchcha road. Soon they reached the main road. Kailash stopped the jeep and told everyone to get down. All were surprised. Kailash said to them, "Now you're free. Sorry for the trouble. "

Then he sat down in the Jeep and drove away fast in the opposite direction, leaving the smoke and dust behind. It was really hard to believe that they were free. Then they thought probably ransom had been paid so they were set free.

It was about 5 o'clock in the evening while the bus to Gwalior came. They waved to the bus to stop. About an hour later they were at the house of Ramesh. After them, I also reached there. The inspector got me dropped there by a police jeep. I was amazed to learn the full story of their release.

All family members and relatives of the kidnapped and freed persons were extremely happy. Ramesh's wife was overjoyed. Everybody thanked god. But there was a question. Rameshs grandfather revealed that the amount collected for ransom was still with him. Neither anybody came to collect that nor gave any instruction about that. He exclaimed, If left without a ransom? Everyone was surprised. All attributed it to the miracle of God. It was indeed. Change of heart does not happen easily. That too of a bandit . Everyone wanted to go home soon. I had not informed my family about my going to Morena as that was not a distant place and was a matter of one or two days. The case had come to the knowledge of the police, the police might do some investigation. My presence might help. So I decided to go home after a couple of days.

19

BANDITS NEWS

Next day the main news of all the newspapers of the region was, Kailash Pandey kidnapped 12 people, but just two days after keeping them hostage freed them on his own without any ransom. He has surrendered himself to the police.

This was followed by his interview given to the press. In his interview he had told how he came to know the story of his grandfather fighting the Englishman. How his heart was converted and he decided to leave the hostages without ransom and decided to surrender.

A few days later, Kailash and Parvati's parents and Parvati came to visit him in prison. They all were very happy. Parents deliberately left Kailash and Parvati alone. Parvati gifted a handkerchief on which she had embroidered his name and said, "Be strong, you did pretty good. I will wait for you.

Their meeting time was over. While leaving the eyes of the parents and Parvati had tears, but they also showed pride and satisfaction, which gave Kailash much strength.

Thanks

goswamirr@hotmail.com

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