‘That’s absolutely true. Those who are unused to heights have headaches due to scanty oxygen and water collects in their lungs. The Chinese soldiers don’t have this problem. The Tibetan plateau is much higher than the NEFA hills. They have to come down from a high altitude; our soldiers become tired by the time they reach the frontier. Right up to last year, we managed with pullovers and greatcoats made with blankets and used balaclava hats to cover our heads. We were given leather boots which were no good in the snow. They would get wet in no time and our feet would be numb with cold. A lot of us end up getting chilblain and frostbite. Sometimes, a soldier’s legs would have to be amputated. Our weapons and ammunition are outdated. They were used in the Second World War. The Chinese have automatic rifles while we have bolt action 303 Lee Enfield rifles, one bullet at a time and machine guns which we have to keep cooling with water. Our mortar are old-fashioned. Those do not go far. And our artillery guns are –’

‘What are artillery guns?’

‘Canons. Ours have a small firing range. I remember seeing a canon being carried by fourteen mules. That is the state of the Indian army! How can the Indian soldiers fight the Chinese, you tell me.’

‘I think we will have to run away with our families! If things continue at this rate, it won’t take them long to reach here.’

‘Eh! We have enough time to worry about that. The Chinese army has only reached Tawang.’

‘That is at the Kameng frontier. Here, in the Lohit frontier, the situation is not good either. What’s going to happen if our army fails to resist the Chinese at this frontier? How much time will they take to reach Makum?’

‘Have you noticed how the Chinese are living here comfortably? It seems they are happy about what is happening. Because they have nothing to bother about, if the Chinese occupy Makum or even India,’ Baruah vented his anger. ‘The Indian government will not do anything against them. The Chinese army will also not harm them, for sure. If the Chinese soldiers arrive in Makum, they will probably go and receive them with alacrity.’

‘How can you say such things? They are not happy. They are ashamed and worried. My son has a lot of Chinese friends. That’s how I know.’

‘It’s all drama, I tell you. We should teach them a lesson if we can. We don’t have enough to eat, and yet look at them. They are filthy rich. After the Marwaris, they have the best houses. They have sawmills, garages, factories, hotels, shoe shops and saloons. You name it and they have it!’