Strange are the ways of a land which is known both for its valour and peace loving nature.. on the one hand there is rampant ignorance, barely any awareness about their own rights or responsibility of the powers that be towards them. For centuries people have abused this innocence and some continue to do so to this day. On the other hand, when some notion enters their minds, no matter how bizarre or far fetched, they take to the roads in their anger and turn it towards the very same powers.
So here is a situation where people are being ripped off in ways that I haven't seen anywhere else, from Rs.10 to Rs.1000 for things that are their rights, but not a peep from anyone until you go and dig in deep. But then a panther turns man-eater, everyone in town is trying to capture it in full steam, and yet, national highways are jammed. For many hours. And no amount of explaining or talking or anything by those who are doing their best to catch it, can convince them off the roads.
A murder takes place. Two bootlegging partners, one confesses to killing the other within 3 days of the murder. He is arrested. 5th day, the community to which the victim belongs is again on the roads, burning buses and jeeps, claiming that there has to be a bigger conspiracy. What happened in two days that made them go on the road? Beats me. They raised suspicions about another man being involved and he was immediately detained for questioning. Both the confessor and the detainee were in custody, under investigation when people decided to gather to discuss the matter. And somehow, a few hours later, they are on the road. There are many theories as to what provoked them, but none are weighty enough to explain the extent of lawlessness and planned damage in its wake.
This very inexplicability makes this assignment an extremely tough and exasperating one.. because its nature precludes any type of preparation or back channel negotiations to pre-empt any outburst. And once it breaks out, how do you contend with a populace that does not understand or care how equipped or not, you are to give them what they want! Meanwhile, yet another chaupal, yet another case of ripping people off, yet another round off making accused pay up on the spot because when you leave it for an inquiry, they somehow recant their story..
