The Crimson Conspiracy

by David Singh

'Do you have any idea of the structure of the mines inside?' Samarjeet asked Raghav.

  After finishing with Karma they left Sukma watching over him and returned back to the same place on highway to be picked up back.

  'Why didn't you bring Karma here with you?' Majumdar was clearly agitated.

  'I knew you will ask this.' Samarjeet replied in a cool tone – his typical approach while convincing someone, 'Majumdar, can we talk alone?'

  'Why?'

  'So that it is easier for me to explain the proposal I have. You are free to agree or disagree later.'

  Majumdar signaled his men. All left except Raghav, Balu and Venkat.

  'They will stay.' Majumdar said.

  'No problem. Now, put aside all apprehensions about me and answer my questions honestly Bhanu.' Addressing by first name was an approach to develop frank rapport. 'What is the real purpose of your revolution?'

  'My people's betterment. A better life for villagers and tribals. Equal treatment like other citizens of this country.'

  'According to you, what is the best way to do it? Violence?'

  'Democracy.'

  'Yes, democracy. And you are the only eligible leader of your people who can lead them through this darkness.'

  Silence.

  'Then, my dear Bhanu, you have to keep your hands clean now. They would welcome peace talks with you when you show that you believe in what you say.'

  'Come to the point. What do you mean to say?'

  'I will capture Rajanna and will produce him as a witness of Karma's crimes publicly in the court of law. This will send a message to the state that you respect country's law and mean the peace talks and you are ready to extend hand of cooperation. This will create a huge positive impact on entire scenario.'

  'But I am enemy of the state. I am….'

  'Relax….relax…..let me finish Bhanu.' Samarjeet meticulously kept the control in his hands, 'your image will change when media will publish and broadcast the evidence that proves that PWG is not PGA.' 'Where is that evidence?'

  'With Assistant Commandant of CRAF, Milind Malwanker.'

  'Oh.' Raghav exclaimed, 'so that traitor Kisna is really a CRAF man.'

  Samarjeet turned towards Raghav. 'Yes. He had come with the same information and prejudice that PWG and PGA are one. You all are killers, monsters and enemy of the state but soon he saw the reality. He discovered that it is his own men who were blindly following state's orders and killing without bothering about innocents caught in cross fire. He was planning to capture Bhanu and Rajanna alive. But later he found and collected the evidence that favoured you. He reported back to his people and they sent men to kill him. Soon it was clear that someone up there wanted your image as a monster. Someone doesn't want you to take the democratic way for your people.'

  'What is the proof of what you say?'

  Samarjeet showed him the same video which he had shown to Karma. After watching, Majumdar sat for a long time in silence. Samarjeet waited eagerly. Finally he spoke, 'where is this Malwanker?'

  'He is safe somewhere out there. I know you are looking for him like a hungry lion but believe me Bhanu, Malwanker is not……'

  Majumdar cut in, 'you asked Raghav just now if he had any idea of the structure of Hashima mines inside.'

  'Yes.' Samarjeet said, puzzled, 'because that will help us plan our break in.'

  'Our Kisna that is Malwanker knows the place from inside.' Majumdar said with a mild smile.

  The Retriever took a sigh of relief.

  ?

  'He is alive and active.' Vir Bhadra Singh said with a gleam in his eyes.

  One of Karma's three guards was Vir Bhadra Singh's connection. The moment he learnt about Karma's abduction from him, he mobilized the inspection team discreetly.

  'Yeah.' Sathya said, 'he didn't kill the guards. Took away RK in his own car. Came with two men, possibly Naxals. What's happening? Is he going to exchange RK with Gangu?'

  'I can't believe that he will take RK to die there. And still we don't know Gangu's status. But he is up to something.' Vir Bhadra Singh said.

  'But why would he do it so hush-hush? Why didn't he contact us? Why was he having two men with him?'

  'Because,' Sathya deduced, 'he is doing it to save Gangu. Gangu is alive. He is in Majumdar's captivity or, if Majumdar is dead, his men's.'

  'But he cannot exchange RK with Gangu. He will never do that. You all are trained not to take such insane decisions.'

  'Then we are back to square one.' Mohan said.

  'If he has not taken RK for exchange then where has he taken him? RK must be somewhere.' Sathya raked his mind.

  'Cool down boys.' Vir Bhadra Singh said, 'put yourselves in his shoes. One scenario at a time. Imagine that Majumdar is alive. Gangu is in their control. Majumdar discovers that he has got RK's duplicate. On Majumdar's behest Samar comes to abduct RK then…..then…..'

  'I said we are back to square one.'

  'Let us recreate the abduction scene.' Vir Bhadra Singh was not ready to give up easily, 'I am Samar. I break into the farm house. The guards are guiding the three main points of the place. One by one I overpower them and then bring them to the top floor of the main house to bind them and…..hold on….'

  In excitement, Vir Bhadra Singh stood up and started walking briskly. Mohan and Sathya looked at him curiously. Then he turned towards them and asked. 'Tell me boys, why would I bother to take the guards up to the top floor, wasting my time, while they are already under my control.'

  'Why?'

  'Think, think! What was his purpose behind taking those guards to the top floor?'

  'So that they could see from the window what was happening to Karma.' Sathya murmured.

  'Exactly. And why was that necessary?'

  The penny dropped.

  Mohan almost jumped up, standing on his toes. 'By God VB, you are Hercule Poirot right off the pages. I got it! Sathya! I got it! He did that so that guards later state that Karma was taken “away” in his car while…..'

  'Mohan! VB!' Sathya too joined in the excitement. 'I bet there are at least four pairs of footsteps back in the mango orchard.' ?

  It was a moonless night. They chose midnight for intrusion. The way they had got in was beyond anybody's expectations. They began with the top floor which was completely in dark. Using drainpipes and balustrades, they climbed down to second floor. That floor was also dark except the room in the far corner – light shone below the closed door. They both discussed in whispers and then one of them climbed off the balcony in the corridor completely avoiding the cams lined just below his feet. Slowly, he hung himself by the narrow ridge just below the rows of windows on the left side wall to the balcony. Below him, several feet down, was bare concrete floor. One slip and he was gone but he was moving like a man trained in such acrobatics. Within a couple of minutes he reached exactly below the window overlooking the mine area. Slowly, he gripped the window grill and pulled himself up to peep inside. Then he whispered in his radio. 'Jackpot! Both are inside. Drinking. One has scar on his cheek.'

  The other one, who was in the corridor, on the opposite side of the room, right outside the door, replied, 'okay. Move in on three. You count.'

  'Fine.' He replied pulling himself over the window sill, 'here we go…..one…….two….three.'

  The door opened suddenly and at the same time window glass shattered. The two men jumped as if they have seen ghosts. The two men, completely covered in black body armour and helmet were really looking like ghosts.

  'Freeze. Chandra Pulla Rajanna! Ramdas! Hands up. One word and you die.' Sathya warned.

  Terribly shaken two men looked at the silenced guns and slowly raised their hands in surrender.

  'Take us to the control room!' Mohan said, jabbing the muzzle in a mortified Ramdas's ribs.

  ?

  Samarjeet had found Malwanker in the village nearby his hideout. They all had put their heads together to finalise the plan to implicate Karma by using Rajanna's testimony. As usual, The Re
triever had assumed much control of the crisis. The only twist was Gangwar's captivity. To his utter surprise Majumdar was not only cooperating, he had also gone easy on Malwanker's issue. Now everything counted on Rajanna's capture. They needed a concrete plan.

  Samarjeet turned towards Raghav, 'Malwanker and I will enter the place through tunnel. We two will first disable control room that keeps watch through CCTV cams. On our signal, Raghav will move in with two men. We five will over power Rajanna and Ramdas. Rest of your troop will quietly surround the entire area but no fire until I signal. Then we will take Rajanna and Ramdas out through the tunnel. If everything goes as planned, we shall return without engaging anyone otherwise, on my signal, shoot to kill but try to leave the area as fast as possible. Any questions?'

  'No questions.' Raghav replied.

  It was quarter to one am when Samarjeet and Malwanker entered into the drain in which the tunnel opened. It was completely dark inside. The opening which Malwanker had used to escape last time had been covered. Carefully and slowly they removed one stone and crept over into the dim lit corridor.

  'You see that drainpipe?' Samarjeet whispered to Malwanker, 'we'll climb up the top floor and then climb back down. Enemy would never expect any threat approaching from top. Their entire focus and attention is naturally downwards.'

  'We also HALOed,' Mohan's voice made both jump with shock, 'down on top floor.'

  Mohan and Sathya had used HALO – High Altitude Low Opening paradrop from a high altitude aircraft and opened their chutes at low altitude to steer their drop right onto the Hashima's building.

  Completely astounded and extremely delighted Samarjeet blurted. 'You! Here! How come!?'

  'We'll tell you.' Sathya emerged out from the shade, covering gagged Rajanna and Ramdas, 'let's first get out of here.'

  'There is a handful staff in there which we have bound and locked in the basement.' Mohan said, 'a few guards were there which we….'

  Samarjeet interrupted him, grinning. 'It's okay. It's okay. I know how the drill. Let's get the hell out of here.'

  Through the tunnel they all reached to the basement of temple ruins. On the way, Mohan and Sathya had explained Samarjeet how Vir Bhadra Singh had deduced the entire scenario of Karma's abduction.

  'Where have you taken Karma now?' Samarjeet asked.

  'That basement of party hall you chose is the best place. We are keeping him there and Sukma is still on his watch. He has told us about your plan.'

  'What had happened after explosion?' Mohan asked.

  'Girl, this Rajanna's mole in PWG…what was her name?...yeah…Venu, had almost shot Majumdar when I intervened. She had prepared the entire place to blow up like hell. I was knocked off unconscious but I think cement sacks saved me. Later Majumdar's men extracted us. It was a really close shave.'

  'Rajanna.' Sathya grit his teeth, 'you bastard, you will surely be hanged for starting all this by killing RK's father and several other innocents.'

  Rajanna looked at Sathya, rage written all over his beaten dark face.

  'Then I will not hang alone.' Rajanna growled, 'RK will hang with me.'

  'What do you mean?'

  'In return of huge cash and weapons, RK had hired me to kill his own father.'

  They all were still at temple ruins. Samarjeet was strolling, deep in thought. Sathya came over and broke his chain of reverie.

  'Majumdar has arrived.' Sathya announced.

  They came out of the ruins in the clearing where Majumdar and few of his men were present.

  'Where is Rajanna?' Majumdar said, delighted, 'I'm dying to see him.'

  'He is down in the basement. Can we talk first?'

  'Go ahead.' Majumdar said in a resigning tone.

  Samarjeet explained Vir Bhadra Singh's plan which Mohan and Sathya had informed him, 'we will take Rajanna and Ramdas with us. Entire story will be pivoted around Malwanker. He has captured Rajanna and Ramdas. Malwanker will be our front man. He deserves and will take all the credit. We don't exist. Plan goes like this: Malwanker will release all the evidence he has to the media and press. He will handover Ramdas and Rajanna to the police. There will be a huge uproar all around the nation. Politics and judiciary of entire nation will be jolted…..'

  'What about four innocent tribals?'

  'Majumdar, what's the priority? Peace talks! Let them commence then you can negotiate your wish list.' Samarjeet replied, 'the day when CM Jagat Lal Verma will invite you for the talks, late evening we shall leave an unconscious RK at the same point where abduction had happened. An anonymous call will make the police discover him there. He will cry on the top of his head about us, our plan and that he were never abducted. No one would believe him. Rajanna and Ramdas have agreed to testify against him in return of consideration for lesser punishment. Their testimony will nail RK for good. How is it?'

  'Excellent! Perfect!' Majumdar's eyes shimmered with a spark. 'I promise, no harm will come to your man and no word about you will ever go out. In fact, I am not interested in knowing your names and whereabouts now.'

  'Good. Now have a chat with Rajanna then we move.' ?

  'You coward manipulator! Murdering bastard! ' Rajanna chewed every word seeing Majumdar. His mouth liberated froth in rage, 'I can sense your game plan. These fools are the slaves of the government and you are one of them.'

  'Coward! Manipulator! Murdering bastard! Look who is talking?,' Majumdar mocked with persistent smile, 'what should I call you? Bapu Rajanna or Raju Bopanna? I will always have this regret that I couldn't kill you.'

  'Don't worry. All my men are not dead. They have just retreated to save their life. Som is alive. He will return back to avenge me. You will not live long to loot the jungle and poor people in connivance with the state. You will….'

  'Enough! Majumdar doesn't take the crap from worms like you. Move now. A dark cell in a jail out there is waiting for you, Ramdas and RK. Get lost now.'

  'I know this anger Bhanu. When truth pierces through your heart, you scream like this only.'

  'You talk of truth. You bloody puppet of RK? I am angry because I feel so helpless for not having to kill you right now.' Majumdar returned in the same tone and turned round.

  Elite 5 minus injured Makker prepared to move.

  CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

  May 6, 2014

  Raipur, Chhattisgarh

  'This is Nation Now and I, Prakash Mittal, am once again with you for this most awaited episode.' Prakash Mittal spoke into the front camera, 'during last couple of weeks we all have witnessed the history in making. I quickly highlight the main events before inviting our most special guest today to share his remarkable story with us. Here are the major events: Four hundred Naxalites have surrendered in one batch. Several PLAs and Supreme Court's intervention have initiated a prompt CBI enquiry in the Hashima mines affairs. Investigation is multifold – environmental, financial and legal. Arrest of dreaded PGA leader Chandra Pulla Rajanna, and I say PGA because now it has been established beyond doubts that PWG has nothing to do with PGA. A separate enquiry commission into the operations and functioning of CRAF in that area has already commenced its investigations since last week and Commandant Shetty has been sent on an indefinite sabbatical, technically called suspension, until it is over. Another storm has shaken the local and national political front when arrested chief of PGA, Chandra Pulla Rajanna gave the statement that Mr. Rajeshwar Karma had paid him to kill his own father. Supreme Court is monitoring all this personally through a bench of magistrates working closely with CBI and has ordered house arrest of Mr. Karma. Another nail in his career's coffin is infamous Broker Ramdas's revelation that Mr. Karma has major share in Hashima mines and Ramdas himself is just a front man. Mr. Karma, complying with nationwide protest has resigned from the post of national chief and spokesperson. CM Sri Jagat Lal Verma has accepted the peace talk proposal with PWG, and chief of PWG, Bhanu Majumdar is in the city for the talks that are to commence day after tomorrow. He has also proposed Assistant Commandant Milind Ma
lwanker's name for Shaurya Chakra which, if he had not done so, had been on charts anyway.'

  'I now welcome the hero of this entire historical event who single handedly accomplished what entire state and its resources and force failed to do in past several years. I bring you here, the man himself, to share with us how did he do it?'

  Camera zoomed out a little to bring Milind Malwanker in the frame along with Mittal.

  Then Mittal turned towards Malwanker. 'Good evening and welcome to Nation Now Mr. Malwanker.'

  'Thank you Prakash.' Malwanker smiled. 'First let me clear that it had never been possible what we achieved if several hundred Naxals out there wouldn't understand me and help me. They actually fought with PGA guerillas and several laid their lives for the big cause. If Bhanu Majumdar had not shown the prudence of proving himself an understanding and visionary leader of his people then all this was impossible to happen. These villagers, tribals and those who died for the cause are real heroes. I was just on duty as usual.'

  'That is a very humble way to put this.' Mittal said. Malwanker muted the television and turned towards Elite 5 and Vir Bhadra Singh. Malwanker had to take all the credit since Elite 5 could not come into the open. All the evidence was in the form of photographs, videos and audio recordings. Photographs of villages attacked, wounded women and children, dead bodies of victims and policemen, videos and recordings of tribals' interviews. Major evidence was Majumdar's and Ramdas's videos and the ID cards and duty orders of certain policemen who had been sent to kill Malwanker. All the evidence was properly organized in a chronological order. It had taken Malwanker more than five hours to take journalist Prakash Mittal through entire case and explain the details. Elite 5 had to cook the entire story in a way that it looked real.

  'This is really unfair that I take all the credit alone for what you all have done.' He said. 'You are a remarkably brave policeman Milind. You have put your life and up to an extent your career in peril for this mission. Your dedication and love for the country has earned you this.' Vir Bhadra Singh replied. 'We are just the men of action. We intrude. Kill. Snatch. Finish the task and disappear. We virtually don't exist. My boys now will just report back to their duties from long leave, no questions asked.'