It was evening. Liang and the others who were waiting to fight the Chinese had left a while ago. Pulok would also leave after some time. He had been given leave for four hours today as he had to take Mei Lin to Cheenapatti.

Pulok became alert when he saw the guard of the club gate running towards them.

‘Someone is running towards us,’ he informed Addison excitedly.

Everyone looked at the gate anxiously. Arjun sardar!

After a while, Arjun sardar reached the club, breathless. Saluting Addison, he said, ‘Sir, the police are picking up the Chinese people from our garden.’

‘What?’ the playful managers turned serious.

Pulok’s heart missed a beat. Who had they arrested? Was it Liang or his brother? Or Tung Chin?

‘But why?’ Addison asked.

‘I don’t know, sir.’

‘Where is the head clerk?’

‘He is in the office with the police.’

Addison discussed the matter with his friends and came out with Daman Singh. Pulok followed on his bicycle with Arjun. He forgot all about going home.

When Addison and Daman Singh arrived at the tea garden office, a police jeep and two trucks were parked in front of the office. A number of people were sitting in the office courtyard cordoned off by the police. Seeing Addison, they looked relieved.

He walked into the office. An officer of the Doom Dooma police station, Tileswar Baruah, was seated inside to take permission from the manager to arrest the Chinese. It was just a formality. If they arrest without informing the European managers, they might create problems later.

Addison and Daman Singh sat on the chairs. Addison looked at Tileswar Baruah angrily.

‘Yes, officer?’

‘The public is furious. The Chinese are facing a security threat. Order has come from Shillong to shift them to a safer place for two to three days. They will return when the situation normalizes,’ Tileswar Baruah explained, forwarding a copy of the government order.

Addison went through the papers.

‘Okay, tell me officer, in which safe place are you going to keep them?’

‘I don’t know. It would be better if you speak with the officer-in-charge.’

Addison thought for a while and then went out to talk to the detainees.

Pulok had reached by then. He stood anxiously near the crowd.

‘Pulok’s here!’ someone in the crowd shouted.

Hearing Pulok’s name, Tung Chin looked up. His face glowed in relief.

Pulok ran to Tung Chin, held his arms and stood still, speechless.

‘I don’t know what is happening at home. You’ll have to find out,’ Tung Chin said quietly, breaking the silence.

‘I’ll do that. Where is Liang? And Akong?’

‘I’ve seen them getting off just now. Akong is over there. Only his father and his brothers have been arrested. Others from his family are left behind.’

‘I will go and see,’ Pulok said and hurried towards the two trucks.