SFX – the sound of the door opening and closure.
PRATAP: Could be a traffic jam.
SEKHAR: You don’t know, police are hardly seen in such times. It could be a major road mishap or worse.
SFX – the sound of the door opening and closure.
RAGHU: It’s a Naxalite attack on a police convoy near my hospital. It seems, landmines blew away a couple of vehicles. No way forward now for me too.
VIMALA: I think we should go back.
SEKHAR: What do you say Pratap?
PRATAP: I’ll go with Vimala.
VIMALA: What if I say, I’ll go with you.
SEKHAR: It will be a case of pehle app and missing the bus.
SFX – Car being reversed amidst the chaos.
(PAUSE)
VIMALA: Sekhar, what about train tickets?
SEKHAR: It’s slipped from my mind.
VIMALA: So, forgetfulness helps.
PRATAP: And remembrances too.
SEKHAR: Now it helps to go back.
SFX - Sound of picking up speed.
SCENE - 8
EXT – continuation of the journey in the hustle and bustle of the vehicular traffic
SEKHAR: The Naxal trouble is back for worse. Didn’t our government claim they fled to Chattisgarh with broken backs?
RAGHU: If they’re weakened in one area, they strengthen themselves in another. West Bengal first, Andhra Pradesh next and now it’s Chattisgarh with Orissa being the only constant menace.
SEKHAR: I don’ see how anyone in his right mind can believe that a band of brigands can capture Delhi by hiding in the jungles.
RAGHU: You know too much disparity in society leads to revolution with topsy-turvy as ideology. Gaining political power has always been the goal of revolution to bring about the change and the revolutionaries see bloodshed as the means to serve that end. The only drawback is the danger of death, but then, it’s the narcotic of martyrdom. What to say, sensitive minds with utopian dreams resort to senseless killings.
SEKHAR: Maybe, it was the case before; we were not even born then. Now assorted characters fill the Naxal ranks. Oh, the way they arm-twist businessmen, Naxalism is nothing but extortionism. That’s not all. It could’ve been a hard grind earlier in their jungle hideouts. And now, with women cadres around the Naxals don’t miss out much of life. Can’t you imagine the jangal me mangal. I say, the social fringes are better off in deep jungles.
RAGHU: It’s true but it’s not the incentive. I think it’s the moral kick they get as gun-wielding Naxalites.
SEKHAR: But why should they kill the police? After all, it’s the poor who join the police force.