ROYAL DURBAR
The Hill Palace today is venue to a court of an extra ordinary nature. The Durbars are usually held for issues of national importance or legal issues tricky enough to be beyond consideration of the Magisterates of Provincial levels.
The case brought before the court today is like that.
The court crier announced before the Durbar,
"All arise for His Highness Rama Varma, the King of Cochin, the Perumpadappu Mooppin, the Emperor of all Cochin, Venad and Kolathiris."
The King arrived accompanied by his Chaver soldiers and seated himself on the throne.
The crier announced next,
"All arise for His Highness Vikram Kerala Varma, the Crown Prince of Cochin and Lord of Nilambur."
The crown prince arrived and sat at his chair.
The court crier then summoned the plaintiffs of the case.
"Your Excellency, this case involves a member of the Royal Family. Capt. Prince Rajesh Varma is serving in Royal Cochin Police Force and was in charge of an outpost in the Jalalabad Province. On the night of July 17th, he is accused of raping and murdering a girl from the town of Maylisuu. The woman in question Salma Jalal was a Communist advocate in the region. Capt. Rajesh Varma had filed a report on July15 stating that Salma is suspected of fomenting civil unrest.
On the night in question Capt. Varma and four constables from his outpost drove to her house and abducted her. Next morning her dead body was found in a ravine adjacent to the highway.
Detailed postmortem reveals the presence of semen and indicates signs of $%&@ and physical assault. The relevant documents have been submitted. The case against Capt. Varma was lodged with the Commissioner of the Precinct by Sergeant Raman Unni, a beat Constable in the outpost.
Due to the rank and station of the accused the case has been on an accelerated trial.
DNA analysis at Jalalabad State University confirms the identity of the five accused.
The case was conclusively tried before Jalalabad Supreme Magisterate and a sentence of 20 years of Hard Imprisonment was awarded to all five accused. However Captain Rajesh Varma had called for Royal Appeal on grounds of belonging to Royal Family. Hence he is being produced before the Durbar."
The King of Cochin pored over the documents and transcripts of trial.
"Bring forth the accused, " the King said.
King's Guards in full dress livery brought Capt. Prince Rajesh Varma before the Durbar. He was smiling a triumphant smile as he walked in.
"How do you plead, Rajesh?"
"Not guilty, uncle. I did not do it. She was a Communist and this is a Communist plot to deface me, " Rajesh said smiling and gave a triumphant sneer at Sgt. Rama Unni who was present in Dress uniform.
The King said, "I see. It is a stated fact that I and the Kingdom frowns upon Communism and Communists. Any rise in communism is anathema to us."
At this Capt. Rajesh's smile became even broader.
"However, rule of law is the most supreme in our Kingdom. Even I am not immune to the power of Law. It seems Prince Rajesh Varma felt that being a member of Royal Family gives him immunity from law and he can gain respite from its punishment through a vain appeal. In that he did a grave mistake. The burden and responsibility of law lies most heavily on people sworn to protect and uphold it. A member of the Royal Family is hence even more bound to law than an ordinary citizen. Since they have greater privileges they also have greater responsibilities and punishments. Rajesh it was your mistake to appeal the life sentence. For in this Durbar I sentence you to a swift death.
Captain. Rajesh Varma shall be executed by King's Guards by decapitation. Though I am indeed sorry at the loss of a nephew, I believe it must be so as a lesson to the rest of the Royal Family and to my subjects. If that is all the Durbar is adjourned."
The shell shocked Rajesh Varma was led to the execution courtyard by the Liveried King's Guards. The relatives of the slain Salma Jalal who had come to the Durbar were led to witness the execution. A smart Major of the King's Guards approached the Prince and laid a black shroud over his head. He was then made to prostrate before a white marble execution block. The Major took the shining and polished sword from his scabbard and with a single stroke the head of the late Prince fell into a basket placed for the purpose.
The now satisfied family of Salma Jalal were then taken out of the Palace so tat they could return home.
From a concealed chamber looking into the execution courtyard the King and Crown Prince looked on in silence. Shaking his head in infinite misery the King walked to his chamber. With copious tears flowing down his cheeks the King dialed the number of his beloved younger sister whose son he had ordered executed.
Thus is the burden of power.
Showing posts with label Communism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communism. Show all posts
Monday, November 15, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Eradication of Dissent - International reactions and statements
This is a compendium of the various reactions which were elicited at the time of the storyline from other Roleplayers of CNRP.
OOC: No blame on China?
"These Communists are fakes. PRC has got nothing to do with this before anyone points a finger." - People's Republic of China (Sir Keshav IV)
OOC: We are allies remember!! I wont blame you!
IC: The Kingdom of Cochin has full confidence in the non complicity of our allies, the People's Republic of China in these terrorist acts. These are local anarchists, committing acts of violence in the name of an ideology.
king of cochin, on 27 January 2010 - 08:45 AM, said:
"Naturally, they would elect leaders who, if said individuals do not fulfill their duties properly, could be removed--exactly like the system you have in place for those who abuse their power. If you truly believe it is the bane of existence, let the people learn of it for themselves, in the proper context. And not in this violent situation, either."
king of cochin, on 27 January 2010 - 09:10 AM, said:
"And therien lies the problem. How does in turn oppressing them make you any better than them?"
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
The ordinary people do not care for politics so long as their basic necessities are met and they have freedom in their regular lives. Population as such is usually fickle and stupid in their subjective temporary opinions which must never be allowed to rule the statecraft. Governance require long sighted wisdom and merit to judge and respond to events, governance is a sacrifice, for the uninitiated it is a temptation to be autocratic.
There is also the very principal ideology of capitalism vi, "From each according to their ability to each according to their need," which would destroy the meritocratic system we have built. There is no scope for merit in such populist systems, only the matter of who has greater PR power, who is a better talker than a better do-er. Such a system would be inherently corrupt and that is a fate which we shall never ever rick with Cochin.
As regards oppressing them, we consider it a stick and carrot treatment. Law and order requires judicial punishment. Without fear of law, there would be chaos. We have offered these deviants opportunity for peaceful settlement, but they refused. So they must now know the penalties of breaking the law so that in the future no one would ever dare break the law.
The Kingdom of Cochin is a safe country, a young woman can walk the streets in the midnight in the alleyways of a large city bedecked in jewelery and would never have to worry about her life or possessions. This safety from crime is possible only through the severity of punishment."
- Gen. Mohammad Faraz
OOC: No blame on China?
"These Communists are fakes. PRC has got nothing to do with this before anyone points a finger." - People's Republic of China (Sir Keshav IV)
OOC: We are allies remember!! I wont blame you!
IC: The Kingdom of Cochin has full confidence in the non complicity of our allies, the People's Republic of China in these terrorist acts. These are local anarchists, committing acts of violence in the name of an ideology.
"I must ask the question, which in my eyes as a fellow Communists is a necessary one, what variant of Communism do you promote?" inquired Francis S. Ferrer. - (Biohazard)
Due to the communications crack down in the insurgency affected districts, there would be no reply to the question from within the Kingdom. All telephone lines, cell phone lines, internet pathways and ordinary mail are being restricted from Cochin-India to outside world.
"Terrorists, or Martyrs? Have you considered what drove these revolutionaries to such hostile action?" asked Francis S. Ferrer. - (Biohazard)
"I would say they are terrorists and martyrs. They chose to be terrorists and we shall definitely help them along to be martyrs. Martyrs have a very redeemable feature that would apply to these terrorists soon - They are all dead. As to what drove them to such a hostile action, that is not an issue any more. They could have chosen to vent out their feelings in a proper manner, Cochin has a true representative system for local governance. But they choose to resort to arms, and that is how they will be answered to." - Lt. Gen. Dara Singh, IG (India), RCPF.
"Have you thought of what may have been impeding them? Perhaps they were being blackmailed or some other underhanded tactic is forcing them to lash out so violently," said Francis.
OOC: I'll stop cluttering up your thread with this post.
OOC: I'll stop cluttering up your thread with this post.
"We believe that the fact of a non communist entity able to give such a great life to the people of the Kingdom is a real threat and offense to their convoluted way of thinking. The Kingdom provides each of its citizens an opportunity to better themselves, a free and meritocratic society which rewards ability and take cares of those who differently abled. These communists are seeing the absolute farce of their ideologies revealed to them and soon shall have the last popular support fading from them. This drives them to commit violent acts as the only way to regain attention. However that shall not last. Soon the RCPF would crush them and utterly destroy every last violent insurgent. The Kingdom is a safe and peaceful form of governance but we will be extremely brutal to anyone threatening to disrupt the public peace,prosperity and tranquility.
The rule of law in the Kingdom is absolute, even the Cochin Royal Family is not exempt from the rule of law and the punishment received through breaking it as had been seen from the case of Capt. Prince Rajesh Varma a few years earlier."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
OOC: Bio, no problems with such posts,
The rule of law in the Kingdom is absolute, even the Cochin Royal Family is not exempt from the rule of law and the punishment received through breaking it as had been seen from the case of Capt. Prince Rajesh Varma a few years earlier."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
OOC: Bio, no problems with such posts,
"With such peaceful options available to them, violence is not the way these terrorists should have taken. We condemn these people, and repudiate them."
~Communist Party of Australia (Subtleknifewielder)
~Communist Party of Australia (Subtleknifewielder)
"Banning communism will not help. Why ban a complete ideology because of a few miscreants who are using it for their own selfish power lust? It is not right, I hope the Kingdom can see the mistake in banning this. It will give more propaganda to such a terrorist organization. We are willing to militarily help the Kingdom fight these band of rogue terrorists claiming to be "communist"." - (Sir Keshav IV)
Communism as an organization is already banned in the Central Asian provinces of the Kingdom and chance had been given to the Indian Communists to coexist with the Kingdom. However they have chosen to break the trust we placed in them. The Kingdom is cracking down on Communist Party Marxist and Communist Party Maoist who are responsible for the wave of terrorism. We have proofs which conclusively show that these attacks were organizationally planned by these two entities and hence all associated personnel shall feel the wrath of punishment.
Those communists who have not aided, abetted or participated in these attacks would be spared but would be watched.
We thank the People's Republic for the offer of help, but this is an internal law and order matter and is already being handled in an adequate manner.
Those communists who have not aided, abetted or participated in these attacks would be spared but would be watched.
We thank the People's Republic for the offer of help, but this is an internal law and order matter and is already being handled in an adequate manner.
"Perhaps banning this ideology is what led to things like this in the first place."
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Comnist Party of Australia
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Comnist Party of Australia
"Communism and the Cochin way of life are mutually incompatible. Any attempt to impose communism is a manifest threat against the state and hence an issue of national security. Any entity or person who threatens the civic peace, prosperity and tranquility shall be dealt with harshly and permanently. Rule of Law is the absolute in the Kingdom, and no claim of lofty ideology or lofty peerage gives a person insulation from that. So long as affiliates of communists live peacefully and bound within the rules of the nation,they would be unharmed. If they act or speak against the Kingdom, they shall face the nation's ire."
"You state that they are free as long as they live peacefully, yet in the same paragraph, you name their ideology as banned. That is not freedom, that is being told to keep your mouth shut. If the people were to desire communism rather than the rule of the royal family, would you step aside? Or even participate, if they asked you to?"
~Franz Kepler
~Franz Kepler
" The Kingdom of Cochin is a Meritocratic Absolute Responsible Monarchy. We are not democratic, but we do have representative system at the local administration level. We will not let there be a condition where people would desire Communism over the present system. Popular opinion is fickle, it is irresponsible, uneducated and inherently shallow. Democracy is inherently irresponsible and anarchist and hence we do not claim to practice it in any way. So if Communists or any such ideology group ever try to supplant the current governance system, they shall be obliterated.
As regards CPI, by banning their ideology we mean that they shall be prohibited from congregating and spreading their ideas. Yes, it is not freedom and it is being told to keep your mouth shut. Freedom is never absolute. Freedom without responsibility leads to anarchy, something we shall deter at all costs. Freedom means the right to do anything so long as it does not affect his fellow man. Communism is an inherently despotic ideology that would seek to harm the common man the most and packaged in its colorful propaganda, certain fickle minded people may even get carried away and support it. Hence why Communism is banned. Communists as such are still citizens of the Kingdom and hence hold the full protection of the state, as long as they live according to the rule of law. If they attempt to betray their confidence they shall feel the wrath of the state.
For make no mistake, the principal purpose of the Kingdom of Cochin and the Cochin Royal Family is to maintain the peace, prosperity and stability of the people of Cochin, and any force or ideology that threatens it either in the short term or long term shall be destroyed."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
As regards CPI, by banning their ideology we mean that they shall be prohibited from congregating and spreading their ideas. Yes, it is not freedom and it is being told to keep your mouth shut. Freedom is never absolute. Freedom without responsibility leads to anarchy, something we shall deter at all costs. Freedom means the right to do anything so long as it does not affect his fellow man. Communism is an inherently despotic ideology that would seek to harm the common man the most and packaged in its colorful propaganda, certain fickle minded people may even get carried away and support it. Hence why Communism is banned. Communists as such are still citizens of the Kingdom and hence hold the full protection of the state, as long as they live according to the rule of law. If they attempt to betray their confidence they shall feel the wrath of the state.
For make no mistake, the principal purpose of the Kingdom of Cochin and the Cochin Royal Family is to maintain the peace, prosperity and stability of the people of Cochin, and any force or ideology that threatens it either in the short term or long term shall be destroyed."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
"Well, it's nice to know that you think I and my fellows are corrupt and despotic for wanting a system that, if implimented properly, ensures the eradication of coruption. Why don't you educate your citizens properly and THEN ask them what they think?"
"You also say the primary purpose of the kingdom and it's Royal Family are responsible for eliminating any force or ideology that threatens the peace and stability of the people. I ask you--what happens if the destabilizing forse is the family itself?"
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
"You also say the primary purpose of the kingdom and it's Royal Family are responsible for eliminating any force or ideology that threatens the peace and stability of the people. I ask you--what happens if the destabilizing forse is the family itself?"
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
"The rule of law is absolute, especially more so for the Cochin Royal Family. Perhaps those who question the nature of Cochin Judicial system must learn about the case of Capt. Rajesh Varma, a member of the Cochin Royal Family who was convicted of doing a heinous crime and tried to appeal to his punishment by seeking clemency from his uncle, His Highness Rama Varma, the King of Cochin. There are no exceptions to the Cochin law, the protectors and enforcers of law are more bound to it, else they would not have the authority or legitimacy to enforce it.
AS regards your question of the family being a destabilizing force, Cochin Royal Family is a self correcting institution with multiple levels of responsible safeguards precisely against a very such threat. The head of the family, the Matriarch wields greater power than the head of the state, the King and thus balance is obtained. And since the continuance of the family depends on the well being of the state and the well being of the people, it is the family's responsibility to maintain good governance. This is the very basic tenet of responsible governance, being responsible for what you to do and its effects for the next decade as well as next century.
Mr. Kepler, the replies you solicit from us may hurt you, but this is our studied and educated opinion. How much ever you may claim not to be so, absolute power is absolutely corrupting. The Cochin Royal Family knows this, knows the effect of absolute power on one uninitiated and irresponsible, thus why a greater import is placed on duties and responsibilities than power. The Kings of Cochin have always wielded great power, but they have all been tempered by the knowledge of the far greater burden of duty and responsibility that necessitates this power. That is a concept inconceivable for the average communist."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
AS regards your question of the family being a destabilizing force, Cochin Royal Family is a self correcting institution with multiple levels of responsible safeguards precisely against a very such threat. The head of the family, the Matriarch wields greater power than the head of the state, the King and thus balance is obtained. And since the continuance of the family depends on the well being of the state and the well being of the people, it is the family's responsibility to maintain good governance. This is the very basic tenet of responsible governance, being responsible for what you to do and its effects for the next decade as well as next century.
Mr. Kepler, the replies you solicit from us may hurt you, but this is our studied and educated opinion. How much ever you may claim not to be so, absolute power is absolutely corrupting. The Cochin Royal Family knows this, knows the effect of absolute power on one uninitiated and irresponsible, thus why a greater import is placed on duties and responsibilities than power. The Kings of Cochin have always wielded great power, but they have all been tempered by the knowledge of the far greater burden of duty and responsibility that necessitates this power. That is a concept inconceivable for the average communist."
- Revin George,
Minister of Interior.
"As usual, you mis-perceive Communism. It seeks not despotism, but to give power to all people. It in itself, if implimented properly, does exactly what your Royal Family does--corrects itself and provides proper balance in all issues. If I am offended, it is because of the prejudices that people are unwilling to put aside for the greater good."
"It is the very antitheses of absolute power, spreading the power out too far to be abused by any one person."
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
"It is the very antitheses of absolute power, spreading the power out too far to be abused by any one person."
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
"From our experience and observation, idealism as proclaimed by Communism does not work. Power tends to accumulate, if power is not channelized it will not get executed. When Power concentrates, it starts to corrupt those who are unprepared. We do not seek to propagate our way of life and governance but it is our national policy that communism as a bane of human civilization would be eradicated. We shall absolutely eradicate dissent."
It is unfortunate that the "communists" of The Kingdom have chosen the lowest common denominator as a means to revolt. However, we understand that sometimes violence is the only option. We will be watching these events as they continue to unfold, in hopes that the revolutionaries do not soon become the oppressors.
- Thomas Grimshaw, Diarch of USET. (Thomas Grimshaw)
- Thomas Grimshaw, Diarch of USET. (Thomas Grimshaw)
"The revolutionaries shall not be allowed to be the oppressors, they shall soon be the ones to be oppressed."
- Gen. Mohammed Faraz,
Commander,
Royal Cochin Police Force.
- Gen. Mohammed Faraz,
Commander,
Royal Cochin Police Force.
king of cochin, on 27 January 2010 - 08:45 AM, said:"From our experience and observation, idealism as proclaimed by Communism does not work. Power tends to accumulate, if power is not channelized it will not get executed. When Power concentrates, it starts to corrupt those who are unprepared. We do not seek to propagate our way of life and governance but it is our national policy that communism as a bane of human civilization would be eradicated. We shall absolutely eradicate dissent."
"Naturally, they would elect leaders who, if said individuals do not fulfill their duties properly, could be removed--exactly like the system you have in place for those who abuse their power. If you truly believe it is the bane of existence, let the people learn of it for themselves, in the proper context. And not in this violent situation, either."
king of cochin, on 27 January 2010 - 09:10 AM, said:"The revolutionaries shall not be allowed to be the oppressors, they shall soon be the ones to be oppressed."
- Gen. Mohammed Faraz,
Commander,
Royal Cochin Police Force.
- Gen. Mohammed Faraz,
Commander,
Royal Cochin Police Force.
"And therien lies the problem. How does in turn oppressing them make you any better than them?"
~Franz Kepler, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia
"Removed? An irresponsible government if it came to power would not ever listen to the people. Their myopic outlook would mean they would work only to stay in power for their limited mandate for governance and not beyond. That is where responsible monarchy comes in.
The ordinary people do not care for politics so long as their basic necessities are met and they have freedom in their regular lives. Population as such is usually fickle and stupid in their subjective temporary opinions which must never be allowed to rule the statecraft. Governance require long sighted wisdom and merit to judge and respond to events, governance is a sacrifice, for the uninitiated it is a temptation to be autocratic.
There is also the very principal ideology of capitalism vi, "From each according to their ability to each according to their need," which would destroy the meritocratic system we have built. There is no scope for merit in such populist systems, only the matter of who has greater PR power, who is a better talker than a better do-er. Such a system would be inherently corrupt and that is a fate which we shall never ever rick with Cochin.
As regards oppressing them, we consider it a stick and carrot treatment. Law and order requires judicial punishment. Without fear of law, there would be chaos. We have offered these deviants opportunity for peaceful settlement, but they refused. So they must now know the penalties of breaking the law so that in the future no one would ever dare break the law.
The Kingdom of Cochin is a safe country, a young woman can walk the streets in the midnight in the alleyways of a large city bedecked in jewelery and would never have to worry about her life or possessions. This safety from crime is possible only through the severity of punishment."
- Gen. Mohammad Faraz
"An irresponsible government would have no power if the people refused to listen to it. Perhaps people today do not care for politics, but if you ensure that they are directly affected by it and can see it, it is guaranteed they will get involved."
"You also have outright banned the party, when not all members of it are activists. It is to that I refer when I say you are no better than those you oppress. You say you are a stick and carrot country, yet you hit people who have had nothing to do with this. Punish only the guilty."
"And what do you mean by capitalism? I believe we are discussing Communism."
~Franz Kepler
"You also have outright banned the party, when not all members of it are activists. It is to that I refer when I say you are no better than those you oppress. You say you are a stick and carrot country, yet you hit people who have had nothing to do with this. Punish only the guilty."
"And what do you mean by capitalism? I believe we are discussing Communism."
~Franz Kepler
An irresponsible government with the power of the state would not be brought down easily by the people. It would take a long time of building anarchy to bring down such a state. The populist utopia does not exist. As regards involved, should the people always have a say in matters they do not understand like justics, international affairs etc? Should Judiciary be dissolved and we let mob vendetta try people for their crimes? What is the reason why judiciary is kept separated from the rule of the mob? Because essentially people collectively act like a mob, a group of people identifiable by their lowest denominator of intelligence.
As regards the party, yes we have banned it, because we will never allow propagation of such a subversive group to accumulate following. We are not punishing those members who have not committed a crime. They will continue to have all their normal freedoms, however right to membership to a political party is not something the Kingdom guarantees or encourages. There is no populist political system in the Kingdom and we shall not allow such a system to arise.
Discussion of capitalism is a natural part of discussing communism. After all you should be made aware of what might get destroyed if communism is allowed to take root. The Kingdom's vibrant industrial sector would be destroyed through the introduction of communism. The employee in a Cochin industry has far greater benefits and higher standards of living than any communist nation can ever hope to provide. Merit is the absolute measure in Cochin, not populism.
As regards the party, yes we have banned it, because we will never allow propagation of such a subversive group to accumulate following. We are not punishing those members who have not committed a crime. They will continue to have all their normal freedoms, however right to membership to a political party is not something the Kingdom guarantees or encourages. There is no populist political system in the Kingdom and we shall not allow such a system to arise.
Discussion of capitalism is a natural part of discussing communism. After all you should be made aware of what might get destroyed if communism is allowed to take root. The Kingdom's vibrant industrial sector would be destroyed through the introduction of communism. The employee in a Cochin industry has far greater benefits and higher standards of living than any communist nation can ever hope to provide. Merit is the absolute measure in Cochin, not populism.
"Merit, too, is the driving idea behind Communism. However, it is clear you are too stubborn to consider reason on this issue. Good day."
~Franz Kepler
OOC: And it's time you got back to the violence.
~Franz Kepler
OOC: And it's time you got back to the violence.
New Deutschland endorses these revolutionaries. We are not seeking a conflit with anyone, we simply endorse those in the lower classes who had the power to stand up to the ruling classes. We suggest that these people be allowed to leacve their country since their beliefs are not respected. Our country is an example of a communist nation that can succeed. Communism does not destroy, it allows for the flourishing of the people. Our nation suggests that the workers should unite, especially in this instance, and oppose the ruling classes. Either the ruling class should concede to the will of the people or allow them to go to countries where they can take power, rather than be forced to stay in a country where their power is taken away. (Kaiser Lorzon)
Since the Kingdom of Cochin does not recognize this so called New Deutschland we see no merit in replying to any random messages from the world. As regards the points raised, any citizen of the Kingdom is welcome to leave the nation if they do not wish to stay. The Kingdom will also offer them rehabilitation packages so that they may have funds to resettle in whatever new nation they may seek to emigrate to.
Eradication of Dissent 09 , Requiem to a Revolution
The drive to Gudalur gave Prof. Bipin Banenrjee lots of time to think. The tastefully appointed black Mahindra Scorpio SUV insulated the sounds of the country side from venturing inside the cabin. As the powerful engines easily tackled the hairpin curves while crossing the Nilgiris mountains, Bipin looked outside at the lush green country side and considered his choices today.
He could be brash, he could be accommodating in the presence of the King of Cochin. Undoubtably the man he would be meeting is one of the most powerful men in the world. If he wanted I could have been forcefully taken to Cochin City or worse made to disappear, however the very fact that he had been so gracefully invited would mean that the King of Cochin wanted my support. It could be in no other way. A person in power would not risk placing himself in an insecure place to meet a person he was purportedly at enmities with. Yes, Rama Varma must have realized that his position is untenable and wanted to reach an agreement with me. Perhaps this would lead to far more freedoms for the revolutionaries, a breathing space to regain the strengths that had been so callously wasted in the past few months. This time he, Bipin Bannerjee would lead the revolution, a peaceful revolution that would definitely shake the corridors of power.
As Bannerjee rolled down the window and let the sweet and sharp multi faceted fragrances of the forest wash over him, he stared at the setting sun and wondered if the red sun sinking into the Western horizon signified the dusk of the Kingdom of Cochin. As he thought more about it, Bannerjee could not visualize any other scenario that would have led him to be accorded this much respect.
The sun had set but the light had not faded out of the gray blue sky as the Scorpio entered the lush green and discretely located grounds of the Gudalur Palace. The small wooden bungalow could hardly be considered on par with the sheer magnificence and opulence of other examples of feudal arrogance he had seen in Mysore or Kolkata, but there was a quiet dignity and artistic taste in this place. He had heard that Rama Varma had come into possession of this place through his mother who was from Nilambur Royal Family, another ancient family that had once ruled the entire stretch of Nilgiris with its uncountable wealth.
As he got down from the SUV assisted by Maj. Ganesh Nair he saw more young men of his physical features standing around the place, as if they are the silent guard. The Chaver Guards. The elite Praetorian Guards, the elite of the King's Guards an already elite unit separated from Royal Cochin Defense Forces and Royal Cochin Police Forces. While the King's Guards protected the ministers and Cochin Royal Family, the Chaver Guards protected the King and the Crown Prince. Drawn from the best combat units in RCDF and RCPF this ultra secretive unit is said to have a mission profile that included ready willingness to jump in the line of a bullet to protect his sovereign. The remarkable fact is that this voluntary unit had a large number of applicants, all wanting to fulfill the terminal mission profile to protect their beloved King. What quality or what power is there in this man and his system that elicits this level of loyalty?
Being led by Maj. Nair, Bannerjee noted that they were not going inside the house rather to the garden, where an old man was gardening the flowers in the last few minutes before the setting of darkness. Already flood lamps lit atop the bungalow were silhouetting the shadows of men on the tree line a bare 100 feet away. Bannerjee had seen photos of the King and of course his television addresses but wondered how he would be physically. As they neared the garden, the gardener rose up from his crouch, wiped his hands on a dirty towel put around his shoulders and said," Good evening, Prof. Bannerjee. I am most glad that you have come. I hope you had a pleasant journey?"
Bannerjee was surprised. He had expected many things, but not this. The King of a vast nation, with millions of soldiers at his command untold trillions of wealth at his discretion gardening? Why would a man with such power, such responsibility not delegate this so menial of job to one whose time is less valuable?
"Hello Mr. Varma. The journey from Coimbatore was quite comforting, but the journey to there unfortunately not so."
"I understand, the railways are in a shabby state, aren't they? In six months you would see a difference in the quality of travel and quality of service."
"So why have you summoned me, Mr. Varma?" Bannerjee asked with no little measure of trepidation. Age wise they were remarkably close, however physically the King seemed much stouter. The face had a serenity and sureness of purpose that he had not seen in any politician in his 40 odd years in politics.
"Yes, let us sit somewhere before we talk. The age is catching up with me after all these years. By the way Ganesh," the King said to the Head of Chaver Guards," You don't have to stay here, you know. I truly believe I am in no danger here."
Maj. Ganesh Nair's brows wrinkled as he replied, "Your Excellency, but I cant. He is..... he is a communist." The disgust that was suavely concealed in Bhubaneshwar could no longer be concealed before his principal.
"Yes, he is a communist, but I also believe Mr. Bannerjee is a man of peace. Now you can leave us alone son. It is okay." The compassion and love in the man's words surprised him. There was genuine caring between the principal and the protector, another thing that he had not expected to see.
"So Mr. Bannerjee. You must have wondered why I have called you here, right? Do you have any guesses as to why I requested your presence?"
"I have a few guesses, but I would prefer to hear your pitch first," Bannerjee said with a slight smirk.
Rama Varma closed his eyes for a second and opened them before continuing, " In the past few months, in fact from the moment India became a part of our territory, I had ordered a close observation on all three Communist parties of India. Over the past few months of violence and terror the surveillance had been intensified. While Marxists and Maoists were led top down in the insurgency, you had retrained your subordinates from committing any acts of terror. You had demonstrated an appreciation for peace, the only reason why your party is still not attenuated of its members and you are sitting before me , alive."
The still air reverberated with the quiet force of the statement as Bannerjee realized his preconceptions were all false. Just like the moths fluttering in the cool night air around the flood lights, he felt his position crumbling.
"So I had called you here today to make you fully aware of your position, Mr. Bannerjee. I had offered you time to settle down in the Kingdom. If you choose to live as citizens of Cochin, you will have to obey the rules of Cochin. Any act of propagation of Communism would be considered a threat to national security. I am sure that you have many philosophical arguments in support of your convoluted philosophy but I know from practical experience the heinous nature of your ideology. I have no power over Communism in other nations, but within this Kingdom I shall not let it take root, at any cost."
Prof. Bipin Bannerjee felt his blood freezing at the chilling import of the man's words. The sheer persona of the King made it impossible for him to retaliate. But then the cold facade thawed as a warm smile lit his face, "I apologize if you consider me intimidating, but I do need your assurance that you shall abide by Cochin law. Each and every member of CPI who has had no hand in any criminal activity would carry on leading a normal life as full citizens of the Kingdom. As citizens of Cochin, you shall have more freedoms and benefits than in any other Communist nation. For the sake of your comrades, I hope you can agree to this."
As the King finished his statement, 200 feet away Stalin Selvan was looking at the bunglow with a pair of binoculars.
"Damn those flood lights, cant see a damn thing. Mylan, are you sure that he is in the bungalow."
"Yes Comrade. The capitalist pig is in there."
"Very well, any time we waste here would give more time for the King's Guards to detect us. So CHARGE!!" As he yelled a group of 50 heavily armed rebels ran up towards the Palace. Alerted by Stalin Selvan, the militant leader of CPI Coimbatore, a force of 50 rebels had arrived at Gudalur and using the expertise of Mylan a tribal originally from the forests around Gudalur had followed a less known jungle trail to reach the premises, hidden deep within the Nilgiris forests. Armed with AK47 assault rifles and long and curved Arivaal daggers, these rebels wanted to repay back the atrocities committed on their fraternal comrades across India at the behest of the man who is inside that building. As the group of 50 started running towards the clearing making a cacophony in the dense undergrowth of the forest, a silent burst of gunshots fell two mean leading the attack. The rebels started firing wildly all around and apparently one of the bullets caught its mark as a loud exclamation of pain emanated from about 40 feet away. As the rest of the rebels started running towards the clearing hoping to overwhelm the King's Guards defense Stalin Selvan walked towards where the Chaver soldier was lying. The man was hit on his shoulders and stomach and was bleeding to a fast death. Now that should not be allowed. As he saw the rebel arriving the wounded soldier attempted to raise his pistol but in a burst of speed, Stalin Selvan hacked his right arm off. Before his wail of pain ceased he saw the smirking rebel swishing the curved black sword at a curvature directed towards his neck.
The burst of gun fire alerted Maj. Ganesh Nair that his worry had come true. They were unable to install the necessary defensive measures and all Magis sets were being used by RCPF for the terrorist hunt. When he expressed his earlier worry about whether the Politburo chief would use the meeting as an attempt to take the King's life, the King had not placated about his physical safety from the Professor, of that Ganesh was manifestly confident, but whether he would leak the information causing an attack to be mounted.
Now his fears realized Ganesh led his cohorts of Chaver Guards to the King and his ratting visitor. Seeing them run towards them, Bannerjee cowered in fear, but Rama Varma said,"Take Bannerjee inside. There are domestic staff inside the bungalow, protect their lives, Ganesh. We can take care of ourselves."
Seeing the merit in the unpalatable advice, Ganesh replied, "Yes Sir. Units, this is Chaver Six. Me and 3 others are around the King, remaining units make a stand at the bungalow, make it appear as if the King is in the building. Also get some additional support here."
The 40 odd rebels were matched by 6 Chaver Guards around the Bungalow's doors, two machine gunners at the roof and the 4 standing guard near the King.
Selvan and his group of 9 rebels engaged an enemy group in the gardens as he ordered the rest of the rebels making towards the house. A mexican stand off ensued where both groups fired at each other, one behind a group of over turned tables and the other camouflaged by the row of hedges. Suddenly Maj. Ganesh realized that their last magazine was being used. "Team, I am Winchester, how are you loaded?"
"I am winchester too, sir."
"Damn. Well we still have our swords," Ganesh Nair said smiling as he looked at the faces of his friends, colleagues and brothers. "Ganesh whatever you do, dont count me out, I have not had this much excitement in a long time," Rama Varma's booming laughing voice joined in.
"Seriously Varma Sir, you need to take care of yourself," Ganesh said to the senior person the tension of combat easing up the protocol slightly."Dont worry about me lad, now let us wait for those communists to come and attack."
Almost sensing the predicament of the soldiers behind the over turned tables the rebels charged the position firing wildly at the tables in full automatic. As they saw the centuries old wood started splintering under the fire, they stopped as one to change the magazines. Sensing the lull one Chaver Guard leaped at the enemy drawing his sword and shield and engaging them. The shock of seeing the soldier jumping at them with an outstretched sword and a round shield scared the rebels into jamming their second magazines into their assault rifles, thus invaliding them, all except one. Mylan was in the front of the group and had a full magazine of rounds. He sprayed bullets at the approaching soldier peppering his body with bullets. AS he felt the bullets thudding into his body the soldier screamed, "JO BOLE SO NIHAL, SAT SRI AKAL" his old regimental war cry and hacked off the head of the offending rebel before collapsing himself. At this the Chaver Guards and the King too started running towards the rebels who started drawing out their own Arivaal swords.
"There is the King, there is the King. Kill him. Kill him for the revolution, cried Stalin Selvan as he swerved past one Chaver Guard and along with 4 other rebels surrounded the King, who was himself in a crouched battle position sword raised in his right hand and the round shield in his left hand. For a man of his age he was displaying considerable agility. The glint of ruby from the centuries old ceremonial sword distracted the attackers for a faint second before one rebel who made the mistake of venturing within the King's combat radius found his left arm cut off from shoulders. His nerve wracking screams galvanized the others into action as they leaped at the King. Rama Varma deftly feinted the attacks through the skills and flexibility learned over decades of learning and practicing the ancient martial arts of Kalari Payattu. As one rebel lashed his dagger at him from the left side coming from top to bottom in a motion to slice the King's right shoulders, the King ducked and rotated clockwise on his heels and as he came out of his rotation hacked the rebel who had now passed him in the lunge at his right knee. As Rama Varma rose up from his crouch he felt a motion behind him and leaped deftly as a rebel behind him lashed out at his legs. Pirouetting in the air as he leapt, the King hacked off the man's head off. The blood and viscera bursting forth from the separated vertebra cloaked the King of Cochin in a shroud of crimson. Wiping the blood from his eyes, with his left arm the King turned to face the two remaining attackers. The King slowly approached the two attackers who seemed awe struck by the bloodied demon approaching them. The man on the left lashed at King from his right side. The King waited for him to close the radius, blocked the sword with his shield, ducked , drove his sword into the man's abdomen, turned clockwise to his right and rose up thus disemboweling the rebel who fell down on a heap of viscera.
Stalin Selvan saw with shock at the destruction met by his rebel revolutionaries. He barely saw the rebel group approaching the bungalow being massacred by the two machine guns and 6 Chaver Guards on the grounds. He saw his comrades being killed one by one by the Chaver Guards protecting the King and now he saw four of his comrades being killed by the King. In a fit of rage Stalin Selvan leaped towards the King, as he swerved and agilely avoided the King's thrusts he felt his attempts to hack the King foiled by the shield. Then in a brief flash of crystal clear clarity and under the brilliant white spotlight provided by the moon, he saw the last sight of his life on the planet - a blood red apparition and a streak of silvery light that flashed across him, top right to bottom left of his body.
After another second of unstable equilibrium, Stalin Selvan's body fell to the ground, one piece to the right and another piece to the left.
"See Ganesh, did I not say I will not let you down? Take cheer my boy, for we have survived, but not so much because we have lost one of our own," Rama Varma said looking at the Chaver Guard who was lying on the ground. Maj. Ganesh Nair laughed and said, "Saket? No, Sir, he is only stunned. He had been wearing the CORM full body armor unlike you. He is just in a muscular shock due to the sudden multiple projectile impacts. He would be alright and running in an hour."
As Major Nair so informed his sovereign Prof. Bipin Bannerjee came out of the bungalow atop a pair of jelly like shaking knees.
"Professor, you have betrayed my confidence. You had informed some of your colleagues did you not?"
"But I never wanted such a thing to happen. I thought I was going to die. I had to inform someone where I was going in case I did not return."
"That is the difference between you and us, Professor. When we give a word, when we take up a duty we are responsible. You communists, for all your lofty ideals are in the end just crooks unable to stand the heat and pressure of responsibility. I pity you , Prof. Bipin Bannerjee because now I reserve for you a fate worse than death. You shall see with your free and independent eyes the utter destruction of Communist Party of India. Every single carded member of CPI would be arrested and questioned extensively. Each and everyone associated with today's attack would be tried and executed for their crimes. You , Sir, would finally see the day Communism ends in Cochin. This shall be your punishment, because I dislike to kill people with no honor. These rebels convoluted through their ideas are have more honor than most of the other communists because they engaged in battle with soldiers and not terrorized the citizens. These rebels would thus receive respect that you would never have the ability to earn. Leave now, and never ever show me your face again." Rama Varma commanded in his booming voice. The shivering and trembling Bipin Bannerjee was led through the carnage of separated body parts to the Scorpio that would take him to Coimbatore. As he would near Coimbatore he would start seeing the number of Police trucks filled with arrested CPI members. Communist Party of India had ceased to exist. Communism has ceased to exist in the Kingdom of Cochin.
He could be brash, he could be accommodating in the presence of the King of Cochin. Undoubtably the man he would be meeting is one of the most powerful men in the world. If he wanted I could have been forcefully taken to Cochin City or worse made to disappear, however the very fact that he had been so gracefully invited would mean that the King of Cochin wanted my support. It could be in no other way. A person in power would not risk placing himself in an insecure place to meet a person he was purportedly at enmities with. Yes, Rama Varma must have realized that his position is untenable and wanted to reach an agreement with me. Perhaps this would lead to far more freedoms for the revolutionaries, a breathing space to regain the strengths that had been so callously wasted in the past few months. This time he, Bipin Bannerjee would lead the revolution, a peaceful revolution that would definitely shake the corridors of power.
As Bannerjee rolled down the window and let the sweet and sharp multi faceted fragrances of the forest wash over him, he stared at the setting sun and wondered if the red sun sinking into the Western horizon signified the dusk of the Kingdom of Cochin. As he thought more about it, Bannerjee could not visualize any other scenario that would have led him to be accorded this much respect.
The sun had set but the light had not faded out of the gray blue sky as the Scorpio entered the lush green and discretely located grounds of the Gudalur Palace. The small wooden bungalow could hardly be considered on par with the sheer magnificence and opulence of other examples of feudal arrogance he had seen in Mysore or Kolkata, but there was a quiet dignity and artistic taste in this place. He had heard that Rama Varma had come into possession of this place through his mother who was from Nilambur Royal Family, another ancient family that had once ruled the entire stretch of Nilgiris with its uncountable wealth.
As he got down from the SUV assisted by Maj. Ganesh Nair he saw more young men of his physical features standing around the place, as if they are the silent guard. The Chaver Guards. The elite Praetorian Guards, the elite of the King's Guards an already elite unit separated from Royal Cochin Defense Forces and Royal Cochin Police Forces. While the King's Guards protected the ministers and Cochin Royal Family, the Chaver Guards protected the King and the Crown Prince. Drawn from the best combat units in RCDF and RCPF this ultra secretive unit is said to have a mission profile that included ready willingness to jump in the line of a bullet to protect his sovereign. The remarkable fact is that this voluntary unit had a large number of applicants, all wanting to fulfill the terminal mission profile to protect their beloved King. What quality or what power is there in this man and his system that elicits this level of loyalty?
Being led by Maj. Nair, Bannerjee noted that they were not going inside the house rather to the garden, where an old man was gardening the flowers in the last few minutes before the setting of darkness. Already flood lamps lit atop the bungalow were silhouetting the shadows of men on the tree line a bare 100 feet away. Bannerjee had seen photos of the King and of course his television addresses but wondered how he would be physically. As they neared the garden, the gardener rose up from his crouch, wiped his hands on a dirty towel put around his shoulders and said," Good evening, Prof. Bannerjee. I am most glad that you have come. I hope you had a pleasant journey?"
Bannerjee was surprised. He had expected many things, but not this. The King of a vast nation, with millions of soldiers at his command untold trillions of wealth at his discretion gardening? Why would a man with such power, such responsibility not delegate this so menial of job to one whose time is less valuable?
"Hello Mr. Varma. The journey from Coimbatore was quite comforting, but the journey to there unfortunately not so."
"I understand, the railways are in a shabby state, aren't they? In six months you would see a difference in the quality of travel and quality of service."
"So why have you summoned me, Mr. Varma?" Bannerjee asked with no little measure of trepidation. Age wise they were remarkably close, however physically the King seemed much stouter. The face had a serenity and sureness of purpose that he had not seen in any politician in his 40 odd years in politics.
"Yes, let us sit somewhere before we talk. The age is catching up with me after all these years. By the way Ganesh," the King said to the Head of Chaver Guards," You don't have to stay here, you know. I truly believe I am in no danger here."
Maj. Ganesh Nair's brows wrinkled as he replied, "Your Excellency, but I cant. He is..... he is a communist." The disgust that was suavely concealed in Bhubaneshwar could no longer be concealed before his principal.
"Yes, he is a communist, but I also believe Mr. Bannerjee is a man of peace. Now you can leave us alone son. It is okay." The compassion and love in the man's words surprised him. There was genuine caring between the principal and the protector, another thing that he had not expected to see.
"So Mr. Bannerjee. You must have wondered why I have called you here, right? Do you have any guesses as to why I requested your presence?"
"I have a few guesses, but I would prefer to hear your pitch first," Bannerjee said with a slight smirk.
Rama Varma closed his eyes for a second and opened them before continuing, " In the past few months, in fact from the moment India became a part of our territory, I had ordered a close observation on all three Communist parties of India. Over the past few months of violence and terror the surveillance had been intensified. While Marxists and Maoists were led top down in the insurgency, you had retrained your subordinates from committing any acts of terror. You had demonstrated an appreciation for peace, the only reason why your party is still not attenuated of its members and you are sitting before me , alive."
The still air reverberated with the quiet force of the statement as Bannerjee realized his preconceptions were all false. Just like the moths fluttering in the cool night air around the flood lights, he felt his position crumbling.
"So I had called you here today to make you fully aware of your position, Mr. Bannerjee. I had offered you time to settle down in the Kingdom. If you choose to live as citizens of Cochin, you will have to obey the rules of Cochin. Any act of propagation of Communism would be considered a threat to national security. I am sure that you have many philosophical arguments in support of your convoluted philosophy but I know from practical experience the heinous nature of your ideology. I have no power over Communism in other nations, but within this Kingdom I shall not let it take root, at any cost."
Prof. Bipin Bannerjee felt his blood freezing at the chilling import of the man's words. The sheer persona of the King made it impossible for him to retaliate. But then the cold facade thawed as a warm smile lit his face, "I apologize if you consider me intimidating, but I do need your assurance that you shall abide by Cochin law. Each and every member of CPI who has had no hand in any criminal activity would carry on leading a normal life as full citizens of the Kingdom. As citizens of Cochin, you shall have more freedoms and benefits than in any other Communist nation. For the sake of your comrades, I hope you can agree to this."
As the King finished his statement, 200 feet away Stalin Selvan was looking at the bunglow with a pair of binoculars.
"Damn those flood lights, cant see a damn thing. Mylan, are you sure that he is in the bungalow."
"Yes Comrade. The capitalist pig is in there."
"Very well, any time we waste here would give more time for the King's Guards to detect us. So CHARGE!!" As he yelled a group of 50 heavily armed rebels ran up towards the Palace. Alerted by Stalin Selvan, the militant leader of CPI Coimbatore, a force of 50 rebels had arrived at Gudalur and using the expertise of Mylan a tribal originally from the forests around Gudalur had followed a less known jungle trail to reach the premises, hidden deep within the Nilgiris forests. Armed with AK47 assault rifles and long and curved Arivaal daggers, these rebels wanted to repay back the atrocities committed on their fraternal comrades across India at the behest of the man who is inside that building. As the group of 50 started running towards the clearing making a cacophony in the dense undergrowth of the forest, a silent burst of gunshots fell two mean leading the attack. The rebels started firing wildly all around and apparently one of the bullets caught its mark as a loud exclamation of pain emanated from about 40 feet away. As the rest of the rebels started running towards the clearing hoping to overwhelm the King's Guards defense Stalin Selvan walked towards where the Chaver soldier was lying. The man was hit on his shoulders and stomach and was bleeding to a fast death. Now that should not be allowed. As he saw the rebel arriving the wounded soldier attempted to raise his pistol but in a burst of speed, Stalin Selvan hacked his right arm off. Before his wail of pain ceased he saw the smirking rebel swishing the curved black sword at a curvature directed towards his neck.
The burst of gun fire alerted Maj. Ganesh Nair that his worry had come true. They were unable to install the necessary defensive measures and all Magis sets were being used by RCPF for the terrorist hunt. When he expressed his earlier worry about whether the Politburo chief would use the meeting as an attempt to take the King's life, the King had not placated about his physical safety from the Professor, of that Ganesh was manifestly confident, but whether he would leak the information causing an attack to be mounted.
Now his fears realized Ganesh led his cohorts of Chaver Guards to the King and his ratting visitor. Seeing them run towards them, Bannerjee cowered in fear, but Rama Varma said,"Take Bannerjee inside. There are domestic staff inside the bungalow, protect their lives, Ganesh. We can take care of ourselves."
Seeing the merit in the unpalatable advice, Ganesh replied, "Yes Sir. Units, this is Chaver Six. Me and 3 others are around the King, remaining units make a stand at the bungalow, make it appear as if the King is in the building. Also get some additional support here."
The 40 odd rebels were matched by 6 Chaver Guards around the Bungalow's doors, two machine gunners at the roof and the 4 standing guard near the King.
Selvan and his group of 9 rebels engaged an enemy group in the gardens as he ordered the rest of the rebels making towards the house. A mexican stand off ensued where both groups fired at each other, one behind a group of over turned tables and the other camouflaged by the row of hedges. Suddenly Maj. Ganesh realized that their last magazine was being used. "Team, I am Winchester, how are you loaded?"
"I am winchester too, sir."
"Damn. Well we still have our swords," Ganesh Nair said smiling as he looked at the faces of his friends, colleagues and brothers. "Ganesh whatever you do, dont count me out, I have not had this much excitement in a long time," Rama Varma's booming laughing voice joined in.
"Seriously Varma Sir, you need to take care of yourself," Ganesh said to the senior person the tension of combat easing up the protocol slightly."Dont worry about me lad, now let us wait for those communists to come and attack."
Almost sensing the predicament of the soldiers behind the over turned tables the rebels charged the position firing wildly at the tables in full automatic. As they saw the centuries old wood started splintering under the fire, they stopped as one to change the magazines. Sensing the lull one Chaver Guard leaped at the enemy drawing his sword and shield and engaging them. The shock of seeing the soldier jumping at them with an outstretched sword and a round shield scared the rebels into jamming their second magazines into their assault rifles, thus invaliding them, all except one. Mylan was in the front of the group and had a full magazine of rounds. He sprayed bullets at the approaching soldier peppering his body with bullets. AS he felt the bullets thudding into his body the soldier screamed, "JO BOLE SO NIHAL, SAT SRI AKAL" his old regimental war cry and hacked off the head of the offending rebel before collapsing himself. At this the Chaver Guards and the King too started running towards the rebels who started drawing out their own Arivaal swords.
"There is the King, there is the King. Kill him. Kill him for the revolution, cried Stalin Selvan as he swerved past one Chaver Guard and along with 4 other rebels surrounded the King, who was himself in a crouched battle position sword raised in his right hand and the round shield in his left hand. For a man of his age he was displaying considerable agility. The glint of ruby from the centuries old ceremonial sword distracted the attackers for a faint second before one rebel who made the mistake of venturing within the King's combat radius found his left arm cut off from shoulders. His nerve wracking screams galvanized the others into action as they leaped at the King. Rama Varma deftly feinted the attacks through the skills and flexibility learned over decades of learning and practicing the ancient martial arts of Kalari Payattu. As one rebel lashed his dagger at him from the left side coming from top to bottom in a motion to slice the King's right shoulders, the King ducked and rotated clockwise on his heels and as he came out of his rotation hacked the rebel who had now passed him in the lunge at his right knee. As Rama Varma rose up from his crouch he felt a motion behind him and leaped deftly as a rebel behind him lashed out at his legs. Pirouetting in the air as he leapt, the King hacked off the man's head off. The blood and viscera bursting forth from the separated vertebra cloaked the King of Cochin in a shroud of crimson. Wiping the blood from his eyes, with his left arm the King turned to face the two remaining attackers. The King slowly approached the two attackers who seemed awe struck by the bloodied demon approaching them. The man on the left lashed at King from his right side. The King waited for him to close the radius, blocked the sword with his shield, ducked , drove his sword into the man's abdomen, turned clockwise to his right and rose up thus disemboweling the rebel who fell down on a heap of viscera.
Stalin Selvan saw with shock at the destruction met by his rebel revolutionaries. He barely saw the rebel group approaching the bungalow being massacred by the two machine guns and 6 Chaver Guards on the grounds. He saw his comrades being killed one by one by the Chaver Guards protecting the King and now he saw four of his comrades being killed by the King. In a fit of rage Stalin Selvan leaped towards the King, as he swerved and agilely avoided the King's thrusts he felt his attempts to hack the King foiled by the shield. Then in a brief flash of crystal clear clarity and under the brilliant white spotlight provided by the moon, he saw the last sight of his life on the planet - a blood red apparition and a streak of silvery light that flashed across him, top right to bottom left of his body.
After another second of unstable equilibrium, Stalin Selvan's body fell to the ground, one piece to the right and another piece to the left.
"See Ganesh, did I not say I will not let you down? Take cheer my boy, for we have survived, but not so much because we have lost one of our own," Rama Varma said looking at the Chaver Guard who was lying on the ground. Maj. Ganesh Nair laughed and said, "Saket? No, Sir, he is only stunned. He had been wearing the CORM full body armor unlike you. He is just in a muscular shock due to the sudden multiple projectile impacts. He would be alright and running in an hour."
As Major Nair so informed his sovereign Prof. Bipin Bannerjee came out of the bungalow atop a pair of jelly like shaking knees.
"Professor, you have betrayed my confidence. You had informed some of your colleagues did you not?"
"But I never wanted such a thing to happen. I thought I was going to die. I had to inform someone where I was going in case I did not return."
"That is the difference between you and us, Professor. When we give a word, when we take up a duty we are responsible. You communists, for all your lofty ideals are in the end just crooks unable to stand the heat and pressure of responsibility. I pity you , Prof. Bipin Bannerjee because now I reserve for you a fate worse than death. You shall see with your free and independent eyes the utter destruction of Communist Party of India. Every single carded member of CPI would be arrested and questioned extensively. Each and everyone associated with today's attack would be tried and executed for their crimes. You , Sir, would finally see the day Communism ends in Cochin. This shall be your punishment, because I dislike to kill people with no honor. These rebels convoluted through their ideas are have more honor than most of the other communists because they engaged in battle with soldiers and not terrorized the citizens. These rebels would thus receive respect that you would never have the ability to earn. Leave now, and never ever show me your face again." Rama Varma commanded in his booming voice. The shivering and trembling Bipin Bannerjee was led through the carnage of separated body parts to the Scorpio that would take him to Coimbatore. As he would near Coimbatore he would start seeing the number of Police trucks filled with arrested CPI members. Communist Party of India had ceased to exist. Communism has ceased to exist in the Kingdom of Cochin.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Eradication of Dissent 08, Accidental Treachery
Prof. Bipin Bannerjee arrived at Coimbatore railway station around evening. The long train ride had been punishing for his aging body. As he exited the train he saw a friendly face calling him, "Hello Professor, I hope you had a good trip?" Stalin Selvan is the local CPI party leader and now with the imminent dismantling of Communist Party of India, he looked forward to a return to more work intensive employment.
"Hello Comrade, how are you? The trip was grueling but comfort is not something for us revolutionaries, right?" Bipin shook hands with his younger comrade and started walking towards the exit.
"Yes Comrade. By the way you never mentioned the reason for this particular trip? All is well in Bhubaneshwar?"
"Yes, all is well. But I am here for a meeting."
"In Coimbatore?" Selvan asked surprised.
"No No. Ah, never mind. So how goes your farm nowadays?"
"Grueling work, I am left with no time to indoctrinate our younger comrades." He said as he hefted Bipin's bag into the trunk of the taxi.
"All in good time , my friend. All in good time." The professor said and was silent for the duration of the trip to his hotel.
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Despite the words of comfort in the letter, Bipin Bannerjee was troubled. What if he never returned from this trip. Shouldn't someone be made aware of the trip he was taking? But that would be betrayal of trust. As if trust had any meaning for these Royals.
Stalin Selvan arranged the professor's bags in his hotel room and was about to leave when he suddenly spotted the cream envelope sticking out of his jacket. He could distinctly see a palanquin motif on the envelope.
"Sir, where are you going tomorrow? Are you sure you are safe and alright?"
"Safe? My boy, is there something safe for us revolutionaries in this day and age? No, but this is a trip I must undertake alone."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Selvan asked, a faint suspicion now growing in his face.
"No comrade, I would be met tomorrow and escorted to the meeting."
"Could you at least tell me what it is all about? These are dangerous times, we must trust one another, else whom can we trust?"
Yes, that was the crux. He had to tell someone where he was going. So Bipin took a deep breath and said, "Comrade, I have been summoned to meet the King. It appears we may have a chance to reach some level of truce with the Cochin government. If there is any chance that things can be settled peacefully...."
"But Professor, those capitalists massacred our fraternal comrades! Had you not stopped us from joining the revolution we may indeed have succeeded."
"No, Selvan, violence is not the means. We lost the support of the people, that is why Marxists and Maoists failed. Now you must not repeat this to a third soul, I am going tomorrow to Gudalur Palace to have a meeting with Rama Varma. I shall attempt to settle things down peacefully, if he cooperates, else I shall resign myself to death. Please Comrade, pray for my success." the Politburo chief implored his friend.
"I wish you all the best, Comrade. Now you must be tired from all the traveling. You should take some rest." Selvan said, his voice grave.
As he walked out of the hotel , he took his cell phone, dialed a number and said, " Two plates of Chicken 65, please." and cut the call.
"Hello Comrade, how are you? The trip was grueling but comfort is not something for us revolutionaries, right?" Bipin shook hands with his younger comrade and started walking towards the exit.
"Yes Comrade. By the way you never mentioned the reason for this particular trip? All is well in Bhubaneshwar?"
"Yes, all is well. But I am here for a meeting."
"In Coimbatore?" Selvan asked surprised.
"No No. Ah, never mind. So how goes your farm nowadays?"
"Grueling work, I am left with no time to indoctrinate our younger comrades." He said as he hefted Bipin's bag into the trunk of the taxi.
"All in good time , my friend. All in good time." The professor said and was silent for the duration of the trip to his hotel.
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Despite the words of comfort in the letter, Bipin Bannerjee was troubled. What if he never returned from this trip. Shouldn't someone be made aware of the trip he was taking? But that would be betrayal of trust. As if trust had any meaning for these Royals.
Stalin Selvan arranged the professor's bags in his hotel room and was about to leave when he suddenly spotted the cream envelope sticking out of his jacket. He could distinctly see a palanquin motif on the envelope.
"Sir, where are you going tomorrow? Are you sure you are safe and alright?"
"Safe? My boy, is there something safe for us revolutionaries in this day and age? No, but this is a trip I must undertake alone."
"Do you want me to accompany you?" Selvan asked, a faint suspicion now growing in his face.
"No comrade, I would be met tomorrow and escorted to the meeting."
"Could you at least tell me what it is all about? These are dangerous times, we must trust one another, else whom can we trust?"
Yes, that was the crux. He had to tell someone where he was going. So Bipin took a deep breath and said, "Comrade, I have been summoned to meet the King. It appears we may have a chance to reach some level of truce with the Cochin government. If there is any chance that things can be settled peacefully...."
"But Professor, those capitalists massacred our fraternal comrades! Had you not stopped us from joining the revolution we may indeed have succeeded."
"No, Selvan, violence is not the means. We lost the support of the people, that is why Marxists and Maoists failed. Now you must not repeat this to a third soul, I am going tomorrow to Gudalur Palace to have a meeting with Rama Varma. I shall attempt to settle things down peacefully, if he cooperates, else I shall resign myself to death. Please Comrade, pray for my success." the Politburo chief implored his friend.
"I wish you all the best, Comrade. Now you must be tired from all the traveling. You should take some rest." Selvan said, his voice grave.
As he walked out of the hotel , he took his cell phone, dialed a number and said, " Two plates of Chicken 65, please." and cut the call.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Eradication of Dissent - 07 , A Royal Invitation
The Kingdom of Cochin has made membership in a Communist organization a criminal offense. Every member of Communist Party Marxist and Communist Party Maoist shall be arrested immediately without prejudice. Every member of Communist Party of India is expected to register their name at the nearest police station. Since CPI did not participate in the violent activities of the past few weeks , it and its members would not be prosecuted, however CPI would be effectively dismantled as of now. No further meetings are to be conducted by CPI. All members of CPI would from now on be considered Class C Medium Risk Individual. Such individuals would face no problem in receiving employment, education, medical facilities or any such civic facilities but would have a lower threshold of acceptable misdemeanors. Discrimination against Class C individuals in the matter of civic facilities is considered a hate crime under Royal Code of Justice.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bipin Chatterjee was sitting in his staff room when he received a call that he had a visitor. It was afternoon around 3.30 PM and he was planning to go out for some tea and cigarettes and it seemed now that plan would be off. As Chatterjee arranged the class notes on his desk and rose up to receive his visitor he glanced at a portrait hanging to the left wall of the room, portrait of a revolutionary thinker. He paused before the portrait that many of his comrades had argued to be taken down. But this is the ideology that he had studied since his school days. He would trust in it till his death. Glancing once again at the portrait of Karl Marx, Prof. Chatterjee made his way to the lobby.
The slowly revolving fan did nothing much to cool the heat of the afternoon sun and the visitor was sitting stiff in the partially ruined sofa seat in the college lobby. As he walked down the winding stairs, Bannerjee heard the metallic rusted creaking of ancient springs as the visitor stood up. How courteous. Wish more of the students at the University were like this young man.
The young man was quite sharply dressed in an executive suit and in his eyes were an intensity that did not fit the cloisters of an academic campus. Those were eyes of a warrior and subtly camouflaged by the man's suits was a well toned body developed for one thing - combat. This is a soldier, Bipin thought. This must be a soldier of the Kingdom. I wonder what binds a man as formidable as this to such an obscene ruling system.
Despite his 60 odd years and an acceptance of a nearing death in a Cochin pogrom, Bannerjee could not suppress a slight chill emanating from his bones as he wondered whether he would meet with death in these corridors of knowledge.
"Good afternoon, young man. How may I be of service to you?" If this was the face of death I would boldly face it.
"Sir, Are you Prof. Bipin Bannerjee?" A low, deep yet intelligent and moderately respectful voice asked him.
"Yes. I am he." Bannerjee reeled for the bullet that may enter his brain at any moment now that he had complied with the identification of the sacrificial lamb.
"Sir, My name is Maj. Ganesh Nair. I have this message for you." As the soldier reached into his left pocket of his jacket, Bannerjee recoiled for a moment expecting a pistol in the stretched hand, but instead was surprised to see an envelope, manifestly of very high quality paper. He noted a small motif on the soldier's lapel, emblazoned with the letters "KG-C" along with a motif of two swords and a shield. Noticing the examination of the embroidery the young man cracked a faint smile and said, "I am the Commander of the Chaver Guards." Chaver, the elite cream of the King's Guards. The Praetorian Guards of the King. The elite of the elite of the elite.
With trembling hands the professor of political sciences opened the envelope and read a letter.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Bipin Chatterjee was sitting in his staff room when he received a call that he had a visitor. It was afternoon around 3.30 PM and he was planning to go out for some tea and cigarettes and it seemed now that plan would be off. As Chatterjee arranged the class notes on his desk and rose up to receive his visitor he glanced at a portrait hanging to the left wall of the room, portrait of a revolutionary thinker. He paused before the portrait that many of his comrades had argued to be taken down. But this is the ideology that he had studied since his school days. He would trust in it till his death. Glancing once again at the portrait of Karl Marx, Prof. Chatterjee made his way to the lobby.
The slowly revolving fan did nothing much to cool the heat of the afternoon sun and the visitor was sitting stiff in the partially ruined sofa seat in the college lobby. As he walked down the winding stairs, Bannerjee heard the metallic rusted creaking of ancient springs as the visitor stood up. How courteous. Wish more of the students at the University were like this young man.
The young man was quite sharply dressed in an executive suit and in his eyes were an intensity that did not fit the cloisters of an academic campus. Those were eyes of a warrior and subtly camouflaged by the man's suits was a well toned body developed for one thing - combat. This is a soldier, Bipin thought. This must be a soldier of the Kingdom. I wonder what binds a man as formidable as this to such an obscene ruling system.
Despite his 60 odd years and an acceptance of a nearing death in a Cochin pogrom, Bannerjee could not suppress a slight chill emanating from his bones as he wondered whether he would meet with death in these corridors of knowledge.
"Good afternoon, young man. How may I be of service to you?" If this was the face of death I would boldly face it.
"Sir, Are you Prof. Bipin Bannerjee?" A low, deep yet intelligent and moderately respectful voice asked him.
"Yes. I am he." Bannerjee reeled for the bullet that may enter his brain at any moment now that he had complied with the identification of the sacrificial lamb.
"Sir, My name is Maj. Ganesh Nair. I have this message for you." As the soldier reached into his left pocket of his jacket, Bannerjee recoiled for a moment expecting a pistol in the stretched hand, but instead was surprised to see an envelope, manifestly of very high quality paper. He noted a small motif on the soldier's lapel, emblazoned with the letters "KG-C" along with a motif of two swords and a shield. Noticing the examination of the embroidery the young man cracked a faint smile and said, "I am the Commander of the Chaver Guards." Chaver, the elite cream of the King's Guards. The Praetorian Guards of the King. The elite of the elite of the elite.
With trembling hands the professor of political sciences opened the envelope and read a letter.
Quote
To: Prof. Bipin Bannerjee,
Politburo Chief,
Communist Party of India
Greetings,
I invite you to have a face to face meeting with me at the Gudalur Palace. My intent is purely peaceful and upon honor of my family I promise that you shall return safely. I urge you not to reveal the contents or existence of this letter to any of your colleagues, comrades, friends or family. If you so choose the officer delivering this letter would have all the travel arrangements for you.
Hoping I can trust you with this confidence and praying that you would consent to the meeting,
Yours Sincerely,
Rama Varma,
The King of Cochin.
Politburo Chief,
Communist Party of India
Greetings,
I invite you to have a face to face meeting with me at the Gudalur Palace. My intent is purely peaceful and upon honor of my family I promise that you shall return safely. I urge you not to reveal the contents or existence of this letter to any of your colleagues, comrades, friends or family. If you so choose the officer delivering this letter would have all the travel arrangements for you.
Hoping I can trust you with this confidence and praying that you would consent to the meeting,
Yours Sincerely,
Rama Varma,
The King of Cochin.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Eradication of Dissent - 06, Riot Out of Control
Col. Bose watched with horror as gun in the woman's hands came up and fired at the Governor. It was too quick for him to prevent. Before Arindam Bannerjee's dead body slumped to the ground, Col. Bose tackled the murderer to the ground. As he gave way for the woman to be manacled by his subordinate troopers, Col. Bose realized that things are getting even more heated up. The mob outside the barricades were rejoicing at the cold blooded murder and the jeering noise almost blanked out the wail of an ambulance coming from the administrative building.
"Free Ms. Ghosh, Free Ms. Ghosh!!" The mob chanted. So that was the name of the murderer. Ms. Swetha Ghosh, fiancee of Arun Chand, the Communist Party chief in Calcutta, instigator and planner of several attacks, and one of the several arrested in Operation Broke Sickle.
The noon sun was making the city sweltering hot and dense humidity of Calcutta was bringing out torrents of sweat, which added to those created by the pressure of the situation. Col. Bose lifted his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Lt. Gen. Singh, this is Col. Satyajit Bose, Commissioner, Bengal Province. Sir, we have a massive protest mob in front of Provincial Administration building and Governor Arindam Bannerjee has just now been assassinated....... Yes Sir, I am responsible, I know that very well too..... Sir, I need orders now. Situation is getting violent and we may have a major law and order issue here....... Yes Sir, thank you. I shall carry it out."
Satyajit looked at the wide street in front of him. The provincial headquarters is at the apex of a triangular junction and the protesters were filled along the avenue straight ahead. The four lane road, leading to the headquarters was flanked by commercial buildings, many of which were still open. The City Hospital is three blocks away and the principal road to the hospital is along this main road. So far a lane was left alone for the traffic to pass through, but that could change any moment.
Col. Bose spoke a few instructions on radio.
Sushil Nair is getting very very angry. Coming from Kannur, a Communist bastion in Kerala, he had felt right at home in the Marxist dominated campus of the Presidency College where he was studying Law. He was an ardent admirer of Arun Chand, the fiery Marxist activist and a staunch hater of the Kingdom of Cochin. he had rejoiced reading news reports of several attacks on RCPF personnel for the past few weeks but was also slightly disturbed when some attacks were conducted on public places were ordinary people were killed. He had expressed his qualms to Arun Chand, but was reassured when advised that a few sacrifices were necessary for the revolution. The deaths of those tens of people would lead to a better life for thousands tomorrow. Though a fervent communist, Sushil was not tempted to join the more aggressive activities. That all changed with arrest of Arun Chand during when Sushil's room mate and an aggressive activist Praphul was killed. Now Sushil was rage personified as he faced the hated Cochin capitalists. He was ecstatic when Comrade Swetha, killed the Governor. Now he was once again angry when the police arrested her and removed her. He was thus the first to reach into his shoulder bag and lob a rock at the police barricade.
"TAKE COVER, TAKE COVER." Col. Bose's voice boomed over the police barricade as the first stone soon became a barrage of stones that showered upon the armor barricades. One policeman was injured severely when in the hurry to cover his colleagues flank, a fist sized rock hit him in his right eye. The Constable was immediately evacuated to the rear and his position reinforced by a trooper from a second Battalion that had arrived to reinforce the barricade.
"Col. Bose, Calling Col. Bose , Over."
"Col. Bose here, Over."
"Colonel, this is Maj. Sidharth Pai of ARPF Bengal. We are arriving at your position within 15 minutes. Any orders, Sir?"
"Major, stay one block away, I want your units to stay out of the avenue for now. What is your strength?"
"Sir, I currently lead a force of 3 Battalions. Maj. Aravind Joseph is 20 minutes out with another 2 Battalions."
"Okay Major, listen up. Cut off the civilians from this area. The entire block is to be cordoned off. Now, we would be attracting the majority of the ire from the mob, so use that time to clear out civilians from this block. I think you would need one company for that job. Do it discretely, try not to attract attention of the mob. We must contain them for as long as we can."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Col. Bose, this is Capt. Irfan Khan, of Airborne Police Force. Sir, we are now arriving at the scene. Any instructions, Sir?"
"Captain, patrol around, make sure that you inform me if there are any possible breaches in the cordon, okay?"
"Sir, Yes Sir."
The sound of an APF Bell 212 above the streets gave greater anger to Sushil. "Charge the Barricades. Break down their walls!!!" Sushil screamed as the mob started surging towards the barricades.
The RCPF troopers redoubled their push on the barricades and the well designed barricade designs efficiently withstood the pressure.
Maj. Binoy Bakshi, the Assistant Commissioner was getting tense seeing the surging mob and the buckling barricade. He turned to his superior and said,"Colonel we need to start responding now, or the line would be breached."
Col. Bose surveyed the frenzied faces of the thousands strong mob in front of him and said, " No major, we cannot react unless they turn violent. We react only when they do a crime. For now, hold the line." Col. Bose was somber as he saw the afternoon sun glaring down the street. The concrete canyons were like reflecting mirrors and it was as it the fury of the sun was directed towards burning him. 'No I will survive this, I shall fulfill my mandate'
"Col. Bose, this is Major Pai. We are evacuating the streets now. We are using the rear doors to do so."
As Colonel Bose watched, the shutters of the buildings lining the streets started coming down and grills locked shut. A few buildings at the far end of the street are now being evacuated by APF troopers in full riot gear. The cry of one child being taken away from her day care center alerted the mob to what was going on. The subtle deception of RCPF enraged them even more and they started destroying the cars and other vehicles in the street. Crow bars and steel bats were smashing the cars and an RCPF Jeep was over turned and set on fire.
" Colonel, this is Capt. Khan, we have a problem. An ambulance is entering the street from East going towards the City Hospital. They passed by before the cordon was in place. We are trying to raise it but there is no response."
"Oh My God," Colonel Bose's voice was grave as he saw the ambulance entering the street at high speeds, sirens blazing. He could hear the helicopter's radio operator frantically trying to alert the ambulance, to no avail.
Peter Johnson was tense, albeit for another reason. He had responded to an emergency call to find a bike accident victim. Now the young lad was unconscious as the paramedics were trying to revive him. His conditions were critical and his head injury potentially fatal. He had to be rushed to the City Hospital, it was the nearest Shock Trauma Center in a 12 kilometer radius. The radio of the ambulance was unfortunately damaged when in his haste to clear the accident site, Johnson unknowingly yanked out the speaker cables. So the only worry as he entered the Collectorate Boulevard was about reaching the hospital in time. His eyes widened as he saw a huge mob staring wildly at him. Several cars were burning in pyres and many buildings had their facades burst in. Screaching to a halt Johnson attempted to reverse but found his vehicle surrounded by the angry mob.
"Please let us through, I have an accident victim here. Please he will die. No, No , Please Nooooooo." Johnson's last vision was that of a frenzied youth driving a dagger at his chest.
"Attention, Attention, cease your violence. Please disperse. Disperse or you will be fired upon. Disperse immediately." The helicopters blaring out the warning from the Colonel only angered the mob into more frenzy.
"Colonel, there is no response, we must charge now." Maj. Bakshi said.
"Relay the message once more."
"Attention, Attention. This is Colonel Satyajit Bose. Cease your violence and disperse peacefully or lethal action would be taken upon you."
Again crowds paid no attention and vandalism continued. A few Molotov Cocktails were lobbed at the Police barricade and despite the scalding flames the RCPF troopers held the line.
"This is your last warning , disperse or you will be fired upon. Keep your hands in the air and walk away from the Police Barricade."
Several guns were introduced into the melee by the rioters and several shots were fired at the Police line. Some people in the mob attempted to walk away, heeding their innate survival call but these 40 or so people were caught by the more violent members of the mob and beaten to death. Only 2 men managed to reach the ARPF barricade line that now secured the far end of the street.
"Okay. I guess this is it. Maj. Bakshi order the units to roll out."
At the Colonel's orders, SWAT snipers started taking positions at the rooftops of the buildings along the avenue. At the barricades at the gate, the ARPF battalion primed their weapons and trained them on the rioting mob. Similarly all along the street and at various side roads, ARPF cordons trained their weapons on the mob. The mob now started realizing their state of affairs.
"This is Col. Bose. All units fire above the mob, one volley, let us try to scare them off now."
At all the pickets the assault rifles were angled to the sky and fired one volley of shots, taking care not to target at anything. The report of the gunfire caused a brief pause to the rioting. As they tried to decide on what to do now, Col. Bose's voice blared from the skies.
"This is your last warning. Lie down on the ground, with your face down and hands and legs spread wide. Anyone who is standing would be killed. Stay down and surrender or you shall be killed."
The mob once again resumed their rioting and Col. Bose gave the order, "Fire at will."
The two RCPF columns fired at the mobs. It was indiscriminate fire at shoulder, stomach level, never angling down. The ARPF Battalion at the far end of the street started walking their way down the street killing off anyone who had a weapon in his hands. People who were lying face down and alive were searched on the ground itself for any explosives or weapons and then manacled and taken to awaiting prison buses. As the battalion made their march of death along the street the panicked mob started running helter skelter.
Sushil Nair's revolutionary frenzy had dissolved as he witnessed the brutal murder of the ambulance's occupants. He realized with a shock the hollow nature of the ideology he believed in. The violent scenes he saw, the ambulance driver twitching on the road, his entrails strewn around him and the paramedic who was doused with petrol and burnt alive, and the other paramedic who was stripped of her clothes and mutilated before beheaded, for no other crime other than that they worked for the Kingdom of Cochin. Sushil remembered the days when an ambulance would arrive only an hour after being called, and now ambulances were only minutes away. What crime did these ordinary people do? No, this is wrong.
He knew that some of his comrades shared his thoughts as he saw the shock and horror reflected on their faces. Hearing the call to surrender, he was starting to make his way towards the rear of the mob when he saw what happened to those who were trying to escape. He saw a cute girl he had ogled in Party Political being beaten to death, he saw the cook at his hostel canteen being hacked to death. Sushil was petrified. To stay was horror, to run was death. What could he do? What could he do? As he was dazed around in shock he saw the police column marching towards the mob firing. In the panic of the moment Sushil had not heard about the instructions to lie down and surrender. He started running around trying to dodge bullets as best as he could and suddenly saw the head of the person in front of him explode in a burst of blood and tissue. With blood of another man in his eyes, Sushil saw the snipers in the buildings above taking down people with guns. Sushil ran towards one of the alleyways hoping to avoid the carnage. His ears were deafened by the sound of the explosion of a car he himself had set on fire, so he could not now hear the screams from the policemen standing by the barricade, their rifles leveled against him. He ran straight towards them.
Constable Suman Shinde saw the young man running towards him with a backpack and blood on his face. His eyes seemed wild with madness and he looked like he was a suicide bomber with a bag of explosives strapped to his back. As his colleagues were taking down other such rioters by his side, Constable Shinde breathed a prayer for his salvation and fired at the young man.
Sushil felt the slugs hitting his chest and arms and felt a leaden weight pulling him down as his legs crumbled under the impact of further bullet wounds. As the searing pain racked his body Sushil thought about how much better his life would have been if he had listened to his mother and not have come to the rally today. His mother at their home in Kannur was the last thing Sushil saw before light went out of his eyes.
An hour of indiscriminate firing had made the Collectorate Boulevard a graveyard. The gutters were running full of blood. Shell casings lay strewn around the street. After the last of the prisoners were taken away to the jails Col. Bose called for the final tally.
Maj. Aravind Joseph said, "Sir, 53 people have surrendered, 209 have been injured and a total of 3562 have been killed. Police casualties are 25 dead and 34 injured."
"Hmm. Okay, roll out your troops, Major. We shall close down this block for another week to conduct the forensics. Let us also pray a few prayers for these stupid dead communists."
"Free Ms. Ghosh, Free Ms. Ghosh!!" The mob chanted. So that was the name of the murderer. Ms. Swetha Ghosh, fiancee of Arun Chand, the Communist Party chief in Calcutta, instigator and planner of several attacks, and one of the several arrested in Operation Broke Sickle.
The noon sun was making the city sweltering hot and dense humidity of Calcutta was bringing out torrents of sweat, which added to those created by the pressure of the situation. Col. Bose lifted his cell phone and dialed a number.
"Lt. Gen. Singh, this is Col. Satyajit Bose, Commissioner, Bengal Province. Sir, we have a massive protest mob in front of Provincial Administration building and Governor Arindam Bannerjee has just now been assassinated....... Yes Sir, I am responsible, I know that very well too..... Sir, I need orders now. Situation is getting violent and we may have a major law and order issue here....... Yes Sir, thank you. I shall carry it out."
Satyajit looked at the wide street in front of him. The provincial headquarters is at the apex of a triangular junction and the protesters were filled along the avenue straight ahead. The four lane road, leading to the headquarters was flanked by commercial buildings, many of which were still open. The City Hospital is three blocks away and the principal road to the hospital is along this main road. So far a lane was left alone for the traffic to pass through, but that could change any moment.
Col. Bose spoke a few instructions on radio.
Sushil Nair is getting very very angry. Coming from Kannur, a Communist bastion in Kerala, he had felt right at home in the Marxist dominated campus of the Presidency College where he was studying Law. He was an ardent admirer of Arun Chand, the fiery Marxist activist and a staunch hater of the Kingdom of Cochin. he had rejoiced reading news reports of several attacks on RCPF personnel for the past few weeks but was also slightly disturbed when some attacks were conducted on public places were ordinary people were killed. He had expressed his qualms to Arun Chand, but was reassured when advised that a few sacrifices were necessary for the revolution. The deaths of those tens of people would lead to a better life for thousands tomorrow. Though a fervent communist, Sushil was not tempted to join the more aggressive activities. That all changed with arrest of Arun Chand during when Sushil's room mate and an aggressive activist Praphul was killed. Now Sushil was rage personified as he faced the hated Cochin capitalists. He was ecstatic when Comrade Swetha, killed the Governor. Now he was once again angry when the police arrested her and removed her. He was thus the first to reach into his shoulder bag and lob a rock at the police barricade.
"TAKE COVER, TAKE COVER." Col. Bose's voice boomed over the police barricade as the first stone soon became a barrage of stones that showered upon the armor barricades. One policeman was injured severely when in the hurry to cover his colleagues flank, a fist sized rock hit him in his right eye. The Constable was immediately evacuated to the rear and his position reinforced by a trooper from a second Battalion that had arrived to reinforce the barricade.
"Col. Bose, Calling Col. Bose , Over."
"Col. Bose here, Over."
"Colonel, this is Maj. Sidharth Pai of ARPF Bengal. We are arriving at your position within 15 minutes. Any orders, Sir?"
"Major, stay one block away, I want your units to stay out of the avenue for now. What is your strength?"
"Sir, I currently lead a force of 3 Battalions. Maj. Aravind Joseph is 20 minutes out with another 2 Battalions."
"Okay Major, listen up. Cut off the civilians from this area. The entire block is to be cordoned off. Now, we would be attracting the majority of the ire from the mob, so use that time to clear out civilians from this block. I think you would need one company for that job. Do it discretely, try not to attract attention of the mob. We must contain them for as long as we can."
"Yes, Colonel."
"Col. Bose, this is Capt. Irfan Khan, of Airborne Police Force. Sir, we are now arriving at the scene. Any instructions, Sir?"
"Captain, patrol around, make sure that you inform me if there are any possible breaches in the cordon, okay?"
"Sir, Yes Sir."
The sound of an APF Bell 212 above the streets gave greater anger to Sushil. "Charge the Barricades. Break down their walls!!!" Sushil screamed as the mob started surging towards the barricades.
The RCPF troopers redoubled their push on the barricades and the well designed barricade designs efficiently withstood the pressure.
Maj. Binoy Bakshi, the Assistant Commissioner was getting tense seeing the surging mob and the buckling barricade. He turned to his superior and said,"Colonel we need to start responding now, or the line would be breached."
Col. Bose surveyed the frenzied faces of the thousands strong mob in front of him and said, " No major, we cannot react unless they turn violent. We react only when they do a crime. For now, hold the line." Col. Bose was somber as he saw the afternoon sun glaring down the street. The concrete canyons were like reflecting mirrors and it was as it the fury of the sun was directed towards burning him. 'No I will survive this, I shall fulfill my mandate'
"Col. Bose, this is Major Pai. We are evacuating the streets now. We are using the rear doors to do so."
As Colonel Bose watched, the shutters of the buildings lining the streets started coming down and grills locked shut. A few buildings at the far end of the street are now being evacuated by APF troopers in full riot gear. The cry of one child being taken away from her day care center alerted the mob to what was going on. The subtle deception of RCPF enraged them even more and they started destroying the cars and other vehicles in the street. Crow bars and steel bats were smashing the cars and an RCPF Jeep was over turned and set on fire.
" Colonel, this is Capt. Khan, we have a problem. An ambulance is entering the street from East going towards the City Hospital. They passed by before the cordon was in place. We are trying to raise it but there is no response."
"Oh My God," Colonel Bose's voice was grave as he saw the ambulance entering the street at high speeds, sirens blazing. He could hear the helicopter's radio operator frantically trying to alert the ambulance, to no avail.
Peter Johnson was tense, albeit for another reason. He had responded to an emergency call to find a bike accident victim. Now the young lad was unconscious as the paramedics were trying to revive him. His conditions were critical and his head injury potentially fatal. He had to be rushed to the City Hospital, it was the nearest Shock Trauma Center in a 12 kilometer radius. The radio of the ambulance was unfortunately damaged when in his haste to clear the accident site, Johnson unknowingly yanked out the speaker cables. So the only worry as he entered the Collectorate Boulevard was about reaching the hospital in time. His eyes widened as he saw a huge mob staring wildly at him. Several cars were burning in pyres and many buildings had their facades burst in. Screaching to a halt Johnson attempted to reverse but found his vehicle surrounded by the angry mob.
"Please let us through, I have an accident victim here. Please he will die. No, No , Please Nooooooo." Johnson's last vision was that of a frenzied youth driving a dagger at his chest.
"Attention, Attention, cease your violence. Please disperse. Disperse or you will be fired upon. Disperse immediately." The helicopters blaring out the warning from the Colonel only angered the mob into more frenzy.
"Colonel, there is no response, we must charge now." Maj. Bakshi said.
"Relay the message once more."
"Attention, Attention. This is Colonel Satyajit Bose. Cease your violence and disperse peacefully or lethal action would be taken upon you."
Again crowds paid no attention and vandalism continued. A few Molotov Cocktails were lobbed at the Police barricade and despite the scalding flames the RCPF troopers held the line.
"This is your last warning , disperse or you will be fired upon. Keep your hands in the air and walk away from the Police Barricade."
Several guns were introduced into the melee by the rioters and several shots were fired at the Police line. Some people in the mob attempted to walk away, heeding their innate survival call but these 40 or so people were caught by the more violent members of the mob and beaten to death. Only 2 men managed to reach the ARPF barricade line that now secured the far end of the street.
"Okay. I guess this is it. Maj. Bakshi order the units to roll out."
At the Colonel's orders, SWAT snipers started taking positions at the rooftops of the buildings along the avenue. At the barricades at the gate, the ARPF battalion primed their weapons and trained them on the rioting mob. Similarly all along the street and at various side roads, ARPF cordons trained their weapons on the mob. The mob now started realizing their state of affairs.
"This is Col. Bose. All units fire above the mob, one volley, let us try to scare them off now."
At all the pickets the assault rifles were angled to the sky and fired one volley of shots, taking care not to target at anything. The report of the gunfire caused a brief pause to the rioting. As they tried to decide on what to do now, Col. Bose's voice blared from the skies.
"This is your last warning. Lie down on the ground, with your face down and hands and legs spread wide. Anyone who is standing would be killed. Stay down and surrender or you shall be killed."
The mob once again resumed their rioting and Col. Bose gave the order, "Fire at will."
The two RCPF columns fired at the mobs. It was indiscriminate fire at shoulder, stomach level, never angling down. The ARPF Battalion at the far end of the street started walking their way down the street killing off anyone who had a weapon in his hands. People who were lying face down and alive were searched on the ground itself for any explosives or weapons and then manacled and taken to awaiting prison buses. As the battalion made their march of death along the street the panicked mob started running helter skelter.
Sushil Nair's revolutionary frenzy had dissolved as he witnessed the brutal murder of the ambulance's occupants. He realized with a shock the hollow nature of the ideology he believed in. The violent scenes he saw, the ambulance driver twitching on the road, his entrails strewn around him and the paramedic who was doused with petrol and burnt alive, and the other paramedic who was stripped of her clothes and mutilated before beheaded, for no other crime other than that they worked for the Kingdom of Cochin. Sushil remembered the days when an ambulance would arrive only an hour after being called, and now ambulances were only minutes away. What crime did these ordinary people do? No, this is wrong.
He knew that some of his comrades shared his thoughts as he saw the shock and horror reflected on their faces. Hearing the call to surrender, he was starting to make his way towards the rear of the mob when he saw what happened to those who were trying to escape. He saw a cute girl he had ogled in Party Political being beaten to death, he saw the cook at his hostel canteen being hacked to death. Sushil was petrified. To stay was horror, to run was death. What could he do? What could he do? As he was dazed around in shock he saw the police column marching towards the mob firing. In the panic of the moment Sushil had not heard about the instructions to lie down and surrender. He started running around trying to dodge bullets as best as he could and suddenly saw the head of the person in front of him explode in a burst of blood and tissue. With blood of another man in his eyes, Sushil saw the snipers in the buildings above taking down people with guns. Sushil ran towards one of the alleyways hoping to avoid the carnage. His ears were deafened by the sound of the explosion of a car he himself had set on fire, so he could not now hear the screams from the policemen standing by the barricade, their rifles leveled against him. He ran straight towards them.
Constable Suman Shinde saw the young man running towards him with a backpack and blood on his face. His eyes seemed wild with madness and he looked like he was a suicide bomber with a bag of explosives strapped to his back. As his colleagues were taking down other such rioters by his side, Constable Shinde breathed a prayer for his salvation and fired at the young man.
Sushil felt the slugs hitting his chest and arms and felt a leaden weight pulling him down as his legs crumbled under the impact of further bullet wounds. As the searing pain racked his body Sushil thought about how much better his life would have been if he had listened to his mother and not have come to the rally today. His mother at their home in Kannur was the last thing Sushil saw before light went out of his eyes.
An hour of indiscriminate firing had made the Collectorate Boulevard a graveyard. The gutters were running full of blood. Shell casings lay strewn around the street. After the last of the prisoners were taken away to the jails Col. Bose called for the final tally.
Maj. Aravind Joseph said, "Sir, 53 people have surrendered, 209 have been injured and a total of 3562 have been killed. Police casualties are 25 dead and 34 injured."
"Hmm. Okay, roll out your troops, Major. We shall close down this block for another week to conduct the forensics. Let us also pray a few prayers for these stupid dead communists."
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