‘They are not from Makum. Today I have brought very big news for you. All the Chinese big shots are meeting at the Chinese Club. K. P. Lee, Mok Min, C Hoi, Ho Yen Kee – all the big people. Ho Chang Ho will be joining as well. All bloody Chinese spies.’

Ali listened to him and stood up.

‘You can leave now. I have to go out.’

Thakur Prasad came out of the police outpost feeling satisfied. It felt good to speak against the Chinese of Cheenapatti. Now he had to find out what they had discussed in the meeting and plot his revenge. It could be the opportunity he had been looking for.

Nine

Nine

Today, China launched a massive all-out attack on NEFA along a twelve-mile sector. The Indian troops fought back gallantly for every inch of their territory but were overwhelmed by more than 20,000 Chinese invaders, armed with heavy mortar and medium machine guns. The Khinzemane posts fell in the morning and the main Dhola post in the afternoon. In NEFA, the Chinese invaders swooped down the Thagla ridge in successive waves along the twelve-mile stretch ranging from the Khinzemane post to Dhola. Heavy fighting was raging south of the Namka Chu River.

The solemn voice of radio newsreader Lily Das hurled the war updates like powerful bombs into Mei Lin and Pulok’s room. They were about to leave for Makum. The news made Mei Lin stop at the main door.

South of Dhola, the Indian troops had to abandon Sangdhar, an important post. South of Namka Chu river, which was under the control of the Indian Army before the Chinese attack, fierce fighting continued despite heavy snowfall. A large number of Chinese soldiers equipped with heavy mortar and mountain guns have also attacked the Chip Chap valley of Ladakh. According to latest news, they have extended this attack to the Pang Gong lake area to the south of the Chip Chap valley. From two forward posts the Indian Army had to retreat to a defensive position. However, the main post of Daulet Beg Oldi and the Galwan post encircled by the Chinese are still under Indian control and have been reinforced.

‘The war has taken a serious turn, I don’t know what will happen,’ said Pulok gravely.

Mei Lin did not answer. She was feeling frustrated. After this update, it would be difficult to put up with her father-in-law’s sarcasm. At least once a day he would find an excuse to vilify the Chinese, and taunt her indirectly. Most of the comments against the Chinese were made by him when the neighbours gathered to listen to the news on the radio. Mei Lin felt that he had still not accepted her as his daughter-in-law. He ate the food she served but did not speak to her. She was scared to go near him because of his sour temperament.

‘Let’s go, Mei Lin,’ Pulok said with a sigh.