Stories

Priceless

The Division Committee (DVC) meeting was over and everybody was making preparations to go back to their areas. As every other DVC member, Pusu was terribly busy too. Pusu was planning appointments (‘APT’s) with the couriers. He checked if things to be taken and given had been exchanged properly or if something went missing. He wrote some important letters that had to be written, in the last minute. He tried
Stories

The Sword & The Shield

The encirclement of the CRPF forces by the PLGA was almost complete. A part of the enemy force that entered in their hundreds has been separated from the main contingent with ruse by the guerillas and a siege was laid. The CRPF commandant who had earlier had a taste of a PLGA attack had his doubts when the guerillas started retreating on one side. He felt it may be a
Stories

Oral Historians

The students of ‘Comrades Devaraj - Ajita Political School’ got up for their lunch and filed out of the class tent. As soon as ‘MoPos’ guruji Chaitey came out of the tent, Swaroopa who was sitting on a stone nearby got up with the shout ‘Lal Salaaam didee (red salute comrade)’,  shook her hands with her and hugged her. Smiling happily in return, Chaitey asked, “When did you arrive? You
Stories

Little Red Guards

The winter sun is sleeping warmly cuddled up inside his quilt and throwing tantrums to get up. Just like the ashram children who were sleeping in two distinct rows of girls and boys, he tossed and turned and by the time he slowly and finally left his quilt it was already six a.m. Twelve year old Maini hurriedly folded the bed sheets she had used to spread on the jilli
Stories

Fish & Water

It was getting to be evening.  The villagers were bringing back the cattle and goats they had taken for grazing. The entire village was abuzz with the sounds made by goats, cattle and hens, and the cries of infants.  Comrades Bhagat and Rakesh of the dalam managed to come to the village after many days as they were busy with other work.  Bhagat was the area’s LGS (Local Guerrilla Squad)
Stories

Comrade Pojje’s Letter

“Come what may, today I must write the letter. I was told that Idumaal dada and others would be leaving within two days,” thought Pojje while going for her 6 am sentry duty. She was not yet twenty. She stopped at the camp ‘B’ tent that was on her way and looked for Sajonti. But she did not find her. “She hasn’t returned from her sentry duty yet,” replied Reena
Stories

Nature’s Children

‘Motherless child’ Find me another word that can unleash an entire gamut of emotions such as compassion, empathy, love, affection or even passion from one’s heart, especially in women. What if they also happen to be Adivasis? On top of it, they are Maoists? What difference does it make even if it was not a human child, but only a tiny squirrel? ***                                          ***                                          *** Gilloo, as I named it
Stories

CHAI GLASS

                                                                                                      My life in the forest began in 1994. I was struck by the enchanting beauty of nature, the gurgling river that is called 'pamula gautami ' (Gautami of the snakes) because it looks like a fast moving, hissing cobra as it flows down, the herds of deer which suddenly appear and disappear, luring sight of ripened fruit-laden mango trees, the smiling flowers that greet one all along the