THE SEARCH
THE SEARCH
Rajan Singh checked his pockets, right hand felt the bulge and he groaned in satisfaction. Indicating the driver to move he again started going through the file in his hands.
Most wanted. Name- Masood Wali, Age- 66Yrs, Crime – Dreaded terrorist, guilty of seven bomb blasts, five murders and expert in spreading terror. Absconding from last eighteen years.
The reel started rolling in front of his eyes. It was his Fifth year in department when he was transferred to the valley. He was young, full of enthusiasm and vigor. Getting promotion as Inspector was indeed a matter of great pride but the reputation of the valley made his family, most apprehensive. But he was happy. The spirit of doing something in that troubled area was his dream. Refusing all the proposals of marriage he chose to remain single till his next promotion. His family, consisting of only old parents and a married sister, gave him a tearful and fearful farewell along with all the small village people, who came to railway station to see him off. That village of Rajasthan was again proud to see its another child on the path of bravery. He too felt pride while waving from the train window to all the faces, which were quickly vanishing with the speed.
His uniform also had seen changes with passing years. Seeing One star above crossed sword and baton made his chest swell with pride. He was about to retire and this case was his last job, which he took in his hands after a thorough study of the criminals of the area. He wanted to hand over the most dreaded terrorist to the department as his parting gift.
He had an old account with Masood. Whenever he tried to lay hands on him, he was always escaped. He was terribly hurt in one of the encounters years back, but managed to run away without leaving any trace. Department was happy thinking that he was dead but Rajan knew that he would do something again. And after one month he threw a hand grenade on his van, killing three policeman and the driver. Rajan was hurt but alive. That was the last of Masood’s deeds and he was vanished after that. According to the last tip, Masood was seen in a small town of Haryana, running a small hotel.
Rajan knew that this was his chance to set the scores right. So he left with a jeep and a driver in search of him. After fourteen hours of drive they reached Karnal and checked in a hotel for night. With a determination and satisfaction of a happy man he went to sleep. A terrible commotion made him jump out of the bed. He checked his gun and came out of the room. People were running around, he stopped one of them and asked the matter.
‘Saab, two buses have met with an accident at highway. It was a head on collision, many people are hurt and we are taking them to hospital with the orders of Baba. ‘ The man said running.
He saw the cars and bikes leaving hotel, people shouting on phone and running. Rooms were forcefully vacated to accommodate the people who were not injured or dead. With in an hour whole hotel turned into a sarai, people crying, frantically looking for their co passengers who were taken to hospital and nursing homes. Rajan too accommodated two men in his room, who were under shock. One was crying for his wife and other was traveling alone but was too shocked to inform his family about the accident. It was 3 A.M. He ordered tea and tried to speak with them. He even made some calls to hospital to know about his wife and was relieved to know that she was hurt but not dead. Man looked relieved and slept after having tea. But the other one who whispered his name as Sunil in hardly audible voice kept on shivering. After much persuasion he agreed to call his family and after that he too felt better. He told Rajan about the accident and thanked Baba profusely for his timely help.
‘Who is Baba?’ Rajan was curious.
‘He is the god of this area Saab. He is the master of all the lives here and everyone respects him for his generosity and help. Even this hotel is his. He is running two hospitals here and one orphanage, plus many charitable organizations.’
‘What is his name?’ Rajan’s blood started running fast in his veins.
‘Don’t know saab, every one calls him Baba here.’ Sunil shrugged his shoulders.
‘Sunil, your Baba is not running any religious place here? A temple or Gurudwara?’ He knew the answer but waited for his reply. The search was so easy? He could not believe his luck.
‘Saab, he is Muslim, but respects all religions. He arranges marriage of many poor Hindu girls and he has already done 17 ‘Kanyadaans.’
He opened his file, took the photograph from it and showed that to Sunil. He recognized immediately.
‘Yes Saab, this is Baba but he is changed a lot. Do you know him?’
‘Yes Sunil, my close friend.’
He smiled and made him sleep. It was already morning. His target was so easy to accomplish? He stretched his body like a Cheetah and laughed aloud.
He had a luxurious bath, dressed, picked the file and came out of the hotel. Leaving driver and his jeep there he started walking towards town. There amidst a small crowd, he saw him. Sitting on the cot, smoking Hukka, he looked old but agile. He was giving instructions to some people, listening to their problems and arranging help. Rajan went straight to him. Their eyes met. Masood looked deep into his eyes and indicated to the cot and told him to sit down. Rajan sat smiling. Two giants were sitting side by side. Both knew each other and the unsettled scores of years between them.
It was noon. Food was arranged without saying anything. Rajan was told to join but he refused. He started walking but turned when he felt a strong hand on his shoulder. They were face to face. His hands automatically reached his pocket. The coldness of his revolver assured him of his safety.
‘Singh Saab, you don’t have to take that out. I won’t make any protest. But I request you to have food first.’ Masood was smiling.
He came and had food. It was evening and crowd was getting thicker minute by minute. Rajan sitting there was waiting for the appropriate time to take charge. Finally around 10.30, they all left and Masood stood up and told him to join. He led him to the small house nearby. Entering the house he was greeted by two young boys who came running to him and affectionately held his legs. He patted their head and told them to leave.
‘Give me two minutes Singh Saab, let me say goodbye to family. Then you can take me.’
Rajan was standing there. The fatigue and sleepless night made him giddy. He decided to return to hotel and sleep. Tomorrow it was again a hectic day. Driving fourteen hours non-stop is too much now for his age. He kept the file on the center table, smiled and turned, closing door behind him.
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