Whistle at night.

During the start of our training we were frequently told about the importance of whistle. Whistle as we were told was a unique device. It had a great role in the life of a Policeman. It is a simple device and it was going to play a important part in our training programme. We were instructed to come to the parade ground within 15 minutes whenever the whistle blows.If the whistle blows at night we had to come out of the barrack immediately. One day the whistle blew at night. The whistle blewer was Boot Kali . Boot Kali was one of the person authorised with the whistle. His real name was Havilder Akon Borah.He was as dark as boot polish. Therefore he was nicknamed as Boot Kali by some of our intelligent cadets. Upon hearing the whistle there was chaos in the barrack. It was bed time so no one was properly dressed. Some were wearing half pants. Some were in their jockeys. Anil Das was wearing a short towel.It barely circled his waist. We were told to bring our torch with us. I was unable to guess what was the matter. My bed mate Ravi Prasad guessed that some emergency might have cropped up as there was tension going on with neighbouring Bangladesh at that time. Ravi Prasad is originally from Bihar. He spoke both Hindi and Assamese. During the start of our training we were each asked to buy a 3 battery eveready torch. I had one pen sized torch of 2 pencil batteries. I came out with that torch.I was thinking that i might get a scolding for my small torch. Ravi's torch was brightest of all. It was a big chargeble "Made in China" torch. Everyone came out of the barrack with torch in their hands. Some came out with two torches. We were told to stand facing the barrack with our hands resting on the barrack wall. Anil Das too stood facing the wall with his hands raised. Boot Kali enquired if anyone was left inside the barrack. He started to count one by one. We felt angry as we were made to stand like offenders. Soon the D.S.P arrived at the scene. Havilder Boot Kali reported to him that there were 50 cadets present with their torch in hand. One by one he was checking the torches. Boot Kali was behind him with a pen and paper. He came to me, looked at my torch. He switched it On and Off. I thought Boot Kali will write my name for not having a bigger torch. But he didn't. They moved on to Ravi Prasad. He showed them his torch with great pride . He pointed it to a coconut tree. The coconuts were visible with his torch light. Bohut Faida hai is torch ka, said Ravi. The D.S.P signaled Boot Kali with his eye to write his name. Ravi Prasad was very happy. Now It was Anils turn. As D.S.P was about to examine his torch a strong breeze swayed his towel upwards. Though DSP didnot liked the view , it reduced our irritation level a bit. Everyone felt like laughing but controlled including me. His name was written too. Subsequently they checked the last man and the whole episode was over. We were told to go inside the barrack and sleep. The next day at around 1.00PM , we received one Deparmental Order. There were 35 names written on it. Ravi Prasad's name was No.1. It was actually a warning issued to the 35 cadets of our barrack for using rechargeble torch lights. The torchlights were to be submitted immediately to the training authority. We then remembered that during our appointment we were made to sign various undertakings.Use of devices operated by electricity was strictly prohibited. Ravi Prasad quickly removed the chargable batteries and the bulb. He actually handed a empty torch with a fuse bulb in it. Others followed too.

Ahaunting Red Eyes

                                                                  We stayed in barrack no13 till our drill and discipline training was over. We were 50, in three big rectangular rooms of the barrack. Each room accommodated around 15 cadets though it was designed for not more than 10.
Atleast 5 suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome.
In summer it was horrible as the ceiling fans were not planted at the right place and it was one of the best barracks in the training campus and you can well imagine the plight of other barracks . Well it was all about the condition of the barrack.On one such summer night around 3 am my sound sleep was interrupted by screams and cries '' O Bora da ki korile apuni aaahaaaa''' O Bora da ki korile apuni aaahaaaa'. As I regained sense from my sleep I knew it was mahesh's voice from room no 3 ... He was calling my name O' Bedu .. Bedu come and see what bora has done.
                                                                   He was crying in grief.. Bora was a man of strange personality. His interest were kung fu, astrology, giving lecture on every topics. He was a very dissatisfied man in life. Once I remember he was doing push ups in art of living session. And he was the only one who paid bribe for the job.When he remembers this his face becomes red in anger.. Then he hates his job even more. And today listening to Mahesh's scream I was sure he has committed suicide out of frustrations .. O Bedu.. O Bora ki hol tumar...I felt for the switch board and switch on the  light . Fear and confusion had overcome my mind and i didnt know what to do.. I walked slowly towards room No 3. Mahesh was still crying .fearing the worst to see I slowly walked towards room3 .
                                                               There he was surrounded by some of his mates. I leaned forward to get a closer view. His body was in a curve shape like a bow. His eyes were red and mouth was frothing. Froth was red with blood. He was not responding us. Slowly he regained consciousness much to our relief. He tried to move his hands , one of us helped him straighten his body. Mahesh asked him Are you ok , which he nodded in affirmative. The ambulance will be here in a minute i said.. Mahesh rubbed his face with a wet towel, we helped him sit on the bed. Bora murmered , no need of the ambulance,I ll go and see doctor tomorrow as if he knew what happened to him.
                                                                  In the meantime the ambulance arrived. Along with came one nursing orderly (he is like a paramedic) . He started examining him and Bora was saying I am not going anywhere , I am felling better now.. Though he looked quite horrible. The whole episode continued till morning. News of  Bora condition spread like wild fire. At around 8.30 am  Training Incharge came to take stock of the situation.. He was furious why Bora declined to go to hospital. If something had happened to him who would be responsible. Rumours were cropping up that he is being possessed. 
                                                               Training Incharge was sure that this was the work of some bad spirits which should be get rid of immediately. He pointed out a medium sized tree which was at the boundary of our barrack.  Which was cut off immediately by some of his most obedient cadets. Imagine 3 trees felled to ground on the suspiscion that they are harbouring ghosts. It was now 9.30 and were attending law class. Bora went to police hospital panbazar from where he was directed to do a CT SCAN of brain. He returned after doing the tests. Test reports were to be given tomorrow. He showed us his tongue. A part of it was missing. I remembered blood coming out from his mouth that night. The day ended in conversations ranging from suicides to natural deaths that have occurred in the campus. There is one Shiv temple in barrack no 4 as it was haunted. 
                                                              There have been suicides earlier near barrack 4. Even there was one suicide near barrack 13. A cadet some years back had committed suicide by hanging himself on a date tree. We were quite convinced that Bora was possessed by some bad spirits. That night every body went to sleep by 10.30pm At night the environment was very scary. Mahesh left for his home to spend the night. Every one went to bed at the right time ie 10.30 pm. Liquor parties ended at 10 pm which would have otherwise continued till 1 am. Every one controlled their bladders that night. No body went to toilet that night which was away from the barrack that too without light. 
                                                                    Next day Bora's test reports came.. he actually had cysts in his brain and last night he had an epileptic fit .
He was also sufferring from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Doctor said it was curable and he will be all right within a few months time.We were very much relieved to know that it was curable and that he was not possessed. Pork and vegetable salad were his favourite items. He may had consumed pork infested with tapeworms.. Mahesh never slept in barrack again.

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