‘I don’t know. Why are you asking so many questions? They have called you to the office. Why do you want to know the reason?’ the manager thundered. Then lowering his voice, he said, ‘Why did you confront them today? Don’t you know the situation? If I could, I would have helped you. There is no way out. Don’t argue. Accept whatever they say. Otherwise you will be in trouble.’ The man left without waiting for Mei Lin’s reaction.

Mei Lin stood there dumbstruck for some time and returned to Lailin. She pacified her and, leaving her in Ajoli Sonowal’s room, went to the office.

The local leaders were there seated in their imperious chairs. Liang, Hong, Lee Chang, Akong, Wai Kwan, Mei Fung and Mei Hang were standing before them. One of the officials said without any preamble, ‘All of you will be transferred to a labour reform camp tomorrow morning. Be prepared.’

Ten

Ten

Mei Lin, along with a few other women, picked out the mature silkworms from a bamboo tray and put them on a separate one.

Her eyes had become heavy with sleep. Her body, already weakened by hard labour and malnutrition, was on the verge of breaking down. Lailin had been down with fever for the past three days. Mei Lin was unable to give her any medicines as there was no medical facility in the camp. Mei Lin was unable to get any sleep for the last few nights. She had to come out every morning to work. Here, she could not get any consideration just because her child was ill. Even though Mei Hang, Wai Kwan, Lee Chang, Liang, Hong and Tung Chin took turns to look after Lailin, Mei Lin still could not sleep. An unknown fear was consuming Mei Lin. She had become restless. She left Lailin under Mei Fung’s care during the day. Mei Fung had not come to work because it had been only four days since she had given birth to a child.

Gathering all her strength, Mei Lin worked. She could not ask for a moment’s rest. The stern-faced supervisor was moving around. Neglecting one’s work would lead to harsh punishment.

This was a labour reform farm. These were special category state farms under the ministry of public security. These farms, in association with various industries, forcibly used political, religious and other prisoners in various production works. No one had any sympathy towards the people imprisoned here. These farms were established to reform the criminals as well as to use their labour in various works of the state. These camps were not for the criminals who were convicted legally by the court. Those who were labelled as reactionary and a threat to the state, along with those who were identified by the local administration and security force as petty criminals, were kept here.