‘I understand, baideu. I don’t know why God has entrusted me with this sinful responsibility. You are not permitted to take anything with you. But never mind. Take all your valuables. Take a plate and bowl each. Take some clothes too. Orders are that you will be shifted for two days. But who knows; it could be more that that. The war is still on. And our soldiers only know how to flee. What do you say, sir?’ the second officer looked at the magistrate.

‘Keep the seizure list safely, so that you can claim whatever you have left behind, when you return,’ the magistrate said gravely.

The second officer helped the family pack. The father tucked some money into the folds of his clothes, while the mother made a small bundle of her jewellery and tucked it in her waist. Ming put some essentials in a bag and then put in the books he had borrowed from Pulok.

‘Why are you taking those?’

‘I haven’t finished reading them, ako.’

‘Leave them behind. We don’t even know where they are taking us.’

‘Let me take them, ako.’

The magistrate, the witness and the neighbour who took charge of the house, were deeply saddened by the sight of the Assamese books.

The two most popular youths of Tipling and their parents climbed into the jeep surrounded by policemen. With tears in their eyes, the speechless onlookers watched their Chinese neighbours being taken away.

The small township of Tipling fell silent.

Not a single goodbye was said.

Slowly the two vehicles disappeared round the bend. The people left behind were still silent. The neighbourhood women wept quietly while the air filled with the heavy sighs of the men as they returned to their own homes.

The compound of the Duliajan police station had started to fill up with the Chinese who had been brought from all the neighbouring areas.

Seventeen

Seventeen

Addison and his friends were still waiting at the Doom Dooma Planters’ Club. They had been at the club for the past two nights. Keeping loaded guns at hand, they were drinking to their heart’s content and keeping a watch over the tea garden.

The Chinese soldiers were yet to arrive. Wallong had already fallen. The Indian soldiers had fled, leaving the border area of Lohit Frontier Division in the hands of the enemy. But there was no sign of the enemy yet. They were tired of waiting. It would have been better if they had come!

They had dug trenches in the tennis court without permission. If the Chinese didn’t come, they would have to repair the court at their own expense. They would also have to pay for all the liquor they’d consumed over the last two days.