In lighter vein
How the three intimate friends recognize each other in Holeri-Nuwagaon Jungle

Place: Holerie-Nuwa Gaon jungle.

Date: Two months ago from today.

Agenda: Containing the Maoists' threats.

Actors: Maoists, Royal Nepali Army men and Police personnel in and around the jungle.

This is not the real story or whatsoever. However, I have tried here to depict the sentimental attachment that a Nepali citizen possesses for his other compatriot (s) even if they belong to two diametrically opposed camps.

This story has nothing to do with the real happenings that might have in effect taken place at time of the Royal Nepal Army landed near the jungles wherein the Maoists insurgents were in good strength together with the kidnapped policemen.

I have tried to portray the would-be reason, in lighter vein indeed, which caused the non-action of the already deployed army men against the Maoists insurgents. The fact is that neither the policemen were freed nor there had been a clash in between the insurgents and the army. The political nitty-gritty of the whole Holerie jungle episode is not my concern here. I will prefer to keep myself limited to the sentimental and the social part of the event. I wish to tell my valued readers that this mini tale has been penned only to remind all the Nepalese that wherever we live, we are Nepalese first and then any thing else. The following lines appearing in these columns now were all my imaginations and have nothing to do with the then politics of the nation.

The story begins:

It is already midnight. The insurgents together with the kidnapped policemen were all sleeping save a few who have been told to keep eye on the events in the other camp.

In the camp of the military as well, most of the commanding officers were asleep. Some young men in military uniforms are seen walking here and there.

Similarly, in the police security system, most of the deployed police officers are also sleeping. Some junior constables are seen guarding the environs albeit they possess firearms.

Tired of moving here and there for hours and hours one police constable wishes to have a puff of cigarette. The problem with him is that he has no lighter with him. The strong urge for a puff of smoke when demanded by your body is simply terrible. When one decides to smoke, he will smoke come what may. However, the policeman has no alternatives left. He then dares to move towards the camp of the insurgents.

In effect, the man guarding the camp of the insurgents too was a cigarette addict. His problem was that he had the lighter with him but not the cigarettes. The urge was great here as well. He then decided to ask the police man for a stick of cigarette. He then proceeds towards the policeman. They meet each other ultimately.

Police man: Well gentleman, do you possess matchbox?

Insurgent: Yes I do possess.

Police man: Will you then offer me your lighter?

Insurgent: Yes why not! But then I need one stick from you. I don't have. Will you?

Police man: Certainly yes.

In the process both come closer and forget for some time that they belong to two separate rival camps.

Police man: Which part of the country you belong?

Insurgent: Gorkha district dear friend!

Policeman: What a coincidence indeed. I too belong to the same district.

The talks proceed in a very friendly manner.

Police man: Which village?

Insurgent: Barpak.

Police man: I'm also from Barpak. Oh! My lovely Barpak. I'm reminded of those good old days.

Police man: Which school did you attend?

Insurgent: X- primary school.

Police man: Myself too studied in that school.

By then the two men have started recognizing each other.

Insurgent: Should I conclude that you are Ram Bahadur who stood first in the class always?

Policeman: Should I then too conclude that you were Shyam Saran who always remained a very sincere student in the class. The teachers had high hopes from you.

The two recognized each other and could not control their tears. The two class-mates were meeting well after two decades having two different credentials. In effect the two were top students in the class.

Police man: Why you joined this insurgency? What compelled you?

Insurgent: The village landlord stripped us off the lands whatever we had. My parents died of this shock. Later my young sister was raped by a set of hoodlums who enjoyed blessings from the political establishment. All these put together, I decided to join this camp. I'm happy in this camp. We wish to change the life-styles of the poor men of this nation.

Insurgent: But tell me when did you join this police service?

Police man: Since I could not continue my studies for financial reasons and since I was the lone son in the family so my parents managed my marriage with a local lady. You know Sita, our classmate! Yes Sita is my wife now and we have two kids.

Later my parents died of an unknown disease because we had no money for their treatment. God was unkind to my family and me. I sought helps from the local landlords but all in vain. Later, next year the entire land whatsoever belonged to me were gulped by a devastating flood. I became homeless. Government officials and the leaders only gave us all assurances, which never materialized. However, I knew a political personality who after taking some "Ghoos" (bribe) managed my entrance into this security system.

Later they remember their good old student days and conclude that those days will never be back again at least in this life.

Suddenly, the insurgent recalls yet another close friend of theirs at the same school and asks the whereabouts of Niraj.

Police man: Well, I do not know much about him. But then some body told me that after completing the SLC board examinations Niraj later some how or the other joined the Royal Nepal Army.

Both became very much sentimental while talking about their common friend Niraj. Both then prayed to the Almighty and wished all the best to their missing friend.

Suddenly there is some movement in the nearby environment. Both became alert and took their positions.

A male voice: Take it easy dear friends! I'm the one about whom you both have been talking since five minutes or so. He was sobbing indeed.

The insurgent uses his pen torch to ascertain whether the man standing in front of them in army uniform was the one about whom they had been talking. (The army man tells his friend that it was the pungent smoke of the cigarette which brought him closer to them).

They recognized each other instantly.

The three wept for long. Tears and only tears and only tears…..The three embraced each other in turns several times and wished that the night continued for long so that they could quench their thirst of longtime friendship by sharing the pains and the pleasures of the school days. The three became sentimental which was only but natural. The scene was moving indeed. However, they were true to their jobs. Yet, the three decided not to be first for the use of the guns and bullets come what may. They all agreed that Nepal must remain a peaceful country and decided to talk to their bosses to go in for negotiations so that peace was restored in the Kingdom.

In the process, each of the three shared their meals and forgot for some time that they had come with a "mission".

Next morning, much ahead of the sunrise they parted with each other but then agreed to meet on a regular basis and promised to share their delicious foods.

Thus the Holerie-Nuwa Gaon incident brought three intimate missing friends together well after two decades.

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