It was the month of December. The night was chilly, the air crisp and still. The full moon hung low, casting its silver glow upon the world. There was heavy dew. Kumari stepped out of the tent after packing the necessary things for the next day’s journey. Cold breeze struck her face. She shivered and her teeth chattered. She rubbed her hands together and placed them on her cheeks. It provided some warmth. She walked over to Padma who was sitting by the fire at a distance reading some book.
‘Kumari! I heard that you are leaving tomorrow’, Padma asked keeping aside her book.
‘Yes’
‘When will you meet us again?’
‘Can’t say. But we will surely meet again’
‘How do you feel about going to a new area?’
‘It is painful to leave all of you. But we have to go to any place where the party needs us’
Both of them had been in the same squad since Kumari joined the squad. In her initial days, Kumari would weep throughout the day when she had to leave the squad to join the protection team of a camp. Padma recollected that and teased Kumari, ‘do you remember when you wept for the whole day when you were told to go to a camp’. ‘I cried then as I was new. But now I will go wherever the party sends me’.
Padma also felt bad that Kumari was leaving. There was a lot of change in Kumari in just one year’s period. ‘How quickly the revolution transforms the people!’ wondered Padma. She looked into Kumari’s face. Due to the bonfire her face appeared as though it was glowing red. She remembered the incident when she saw Kumari for the first time.
Padma was new to that area. They were to form the women’s organisation on that day. Kumari also brought meals and water to the squad along with the other women of the village. She was the youngest among them. Padma was explaining the issues and problems faced by the women when suddenly Kumari said, ‘first the forced marriages and kidnappings for the sake of marriage should be stopped’. There was a lot of anger in her voice when she said that… Her face reddened. All the women discussed this matter. They decided that women’s organisation has to be formed in all the villages and this issue should be taken up. Kumari was elected the president of the women’s organisation unit of that village. Kumari and two other women remained with the squad after the rest of the women went back.
‘Akka, what is your name?’ asked Kumari while sleeping beside Padma.
‘Padma’
‘Have you taken the name of the martyr Padma?’
‘Yes. Did you know her?’
‘Jhanjhavathi squad used to come to our village. I was very young then. Padmakka was the commander. I was very fond of songs and Padmakka. I was in the children’s organisation then. I used to lose track of the time while hearing her sing and talk in our Kuvvi language. When I said that I would like to join the squad, she said, ‘you are too young now to join the squad. You can join when you are old enough.’ Squad didn’t come to the village for a long time after Padmakka was martyred. Only now you people have started to come to our village again. Now, I am grown up. So, when are you going to take me into the squad?’ Padma didn’t expect this question.
‘Of course, you have to join the squad. But just now we have formed the women’s organisation. So for the present it is your responsibility to look after the organisation. It has to be strengthened. Till then, you have to be in the women’s organisation, OK?’ Padma said in a convincing tone.
Kumari silently nodded her head.
She became very active in building women’s organisation units in various villages, mobilising women for the meetings, campaigning in the villages about women’s issues, singing songs etc. Whenever the squad visited her village, she would put forth her proposal for joining the squad. Finally, the committee decided to recruit her. She stood first in the military camp conducted at that time. She studied hard to learn reading and writing. Now she has become ready to go to a new area. Five comrades started out at 6 AM. Padma looked into Kumari’s eyes while shaking hands. Despite the smile on her face, there were tears in her eyes.
‘Take care, Kumari’
‘It’s Okay. But I am leaving without meeting my family. When you visit our village, please tell them I am safe’
‘Sure. You take care’ said Padma while affectionately pressing her hand.
While on her way, Kumari turned back once again and greeted with raised fists ‘Lal Salam, comrades.’ Padma saw them off till they disappeared into the forest.
2
“Where should we go now?” asked Kumari, who was the front guard.
“We need to go to Panasa Kota. We have to cross the road in between. We must cross it before dawn. Our journey will take about 3 hours,” said Commander Vijay.
The journey began. Although it was not yet dawn, there was moonlight and hence there was no need for a torch. Kumari was walking briskly. The cold wind made her hands numb and she was unable to fold her fingers at all. She wrapped a handkerchief around her right hand and held the gun. The dew on the grass and the plants was making her pants wet up to the knees. By the time they crossed fields, streams and roads, dawn was breaking. It was around 8 in the morning by the time they reached their destination village.
“Kumari, everyone in this village is from the Kuvvi tribe. Call everyone and arrange a meeting. I will talk to the organisation members,” said Vijay, going to talk to the organisation leader Birsu. Kumari greeted everyone, went around the village, and invited them to the meeting. She brought the young women to the meeting by calling them affectionately. She started singing in Kuvvi. With that, those who remained in their houses came to the meeting place. She started speaking. Everyone listened intently as she talked about their hardships in their own language.
By the time Vijay reached his house, Birsu was just leaving with an axe on his shoulder.
“Hey Birsu, where are you heading off to?”
“I am heading to the hill to cut wood, comrade. Now that you are here, I will send Sumbra,” he said, calling his son Sumbra and sending him.
“Have any of our comrades arrived?”
“Yes, they arrived yesterday. They told me to take you to them when you arrived.”
“How long will it take?”
“It might take two hours.”
“Are there any loads we need to carry from here?”
“There are bags of rice and pulses.”
“Our militia comrades will come with us, right?”
‘They will come. I will take care of everything, but have you had some porridge now?’
‘No, Birsu, let’s have some porridge and then we will set off. It will be difficult if it gets too hot.’
‘Alright,’ he said, getting up to inform the militia.
Meanwhile, Shyam called out, ‘Tea is ready, come comrades.’ By the time Vijay went, Kumari had also concluded her meeting and arrived with her children’s army. The militia comrades also joined them, and after drinking porridge, everyone took their kits and stood in formation.
‘Comrades, we are now going to the contact point. We need to travel for another two hours. We must take the rice, pulses, and pumpkins that the villagers have gathered for us. The militia comrades will accompany us. All of us need to carry some of the load,’ said Vijay. Everyone took bags and started walking.
Although it was winter, climbing the big hill made everyone sweat. The militia comrades walking in the front were only wearing tattered Dhoti, without any other coverings. They had no shoes on their feet. Yet, despite the heavy load, they marched briskly, as if used to it.
‘Birsu, is it too heavy?’ asked Kumari, who was walking behind.
‘It’s okay. We’ve reached the camp of the comrades,’ he replied.
‘Who is it?’ the sentry’s shout sounded like a roar.
‘Oh… it’s us…’ someone gave the password.
Thank goodness, we reached the sentry. With the excitement of meeting the comrades in a few minutes, everyone shook hands with the sentry and walked on. On the way, they saw a board that read, ‘Memorial Meeting for the Martyrs of Battunuru, Comrades Rajitha and Swaroopa.’ Around 50 comrades were sitting silently in a large ground, listening to the meeting. Kumari quietly went and sat on one side. Chinni, who had survived the encounter with injuries, was speaking. ‘Comrade Rajitha was hit in the head and died instantly. But Swaroopa, hit in the leg, kept firing for two hours, preventing the enemy from advancing. Finally, the enemy came from behind and killed her with a boulder,’ she recounted, breaking into tears.
Though Kumari had not seen Rajitha and Swaroopa, hearing about them made her deeply sorrowful. She looked around. Everyone was new. None of her known comrades were there. Tears welled up in everyone’s eyes. Two minutes of silence followed. Even nature seemed to observe silence; the air itself seemed to have stopped. In order to carry out an important work, Swaroopa and Rajitha came from a far off place to this zone and were martyred fighting the enemy bravely. Gripped by the spirit of their blood sacrifice, everyone clenched their fists in resolve and gave resounding slogans. With hearts heavy with memories of the martyrs, everyone vowed to settle the blood debt, and at the Commander’s ‘Disperse’ command, they all returned to their tasks.
3
Kumari, who had woken up for sentry duty, checked the time—it was one in the night. She looked around. The fires near the tents of all the sections of the company that were getting nearly extinguished were again lighting up due to the wind. However, the fire was still burning at the headquarters. The leadership comrades were still conversing there. “Don’t these people ever sleep?” she wondered, gazing in that direction.
“Who’s on sentry?” The thoughts that were running in her mind were suddenly interrupted by this call.
“It’s me, Kumari,” she replied.
“Kumari, could you please take this tea to the headquarters?”
Shyam, who had become tired by the time he climbed up the hillock from the kitchen, handed the tea to Kumari and sat down.
“You keep watch,” she said as she headed toward the headquarters.
“Comrades, please have some tea.” The six comrades there, who were discussing something with a map in the middle, got up for tea.
“Great timing, comrade. But why did you bring it? Where’s Shyam?”
“Shyam is on sentry duty, so I brought it. But don’t you people feel sleepy?” she asked.
“We need to plan formations for this big company, change guns, assign duties etc. It is not easy to plan all this. It’s going to take till dawn. By the way, can you go and tell Ramana and Kumar to come here?” Kumari left thinking that it must be something urgent if they are called for at this time.
Throughout that night, the fires kept on burning at the headquarters during their prolonged discussions. Occasionally, hot tea helped them fight the cold and stay awake. Even though their eyes turned red from lack of sleep, there was no sign of tiredness in their faces. Perhaps it was the excitement of the decisions they were making.
***
“Camp, Attention!… Stand at ease!”
“Comrades, we are organizing this camp for rehearsals for a significant operation. We need to create the necessary dummy structures. We are conducting this amidst the sacrifices of our comrades and the enemy’s combing operations. Three ambush teams are engaged around the camp. Now, one team will go for supplies. All other comrades should participate in building the dummy structures,” said Vimal. Everyone enthusiastically began their tasks. Even with the sun scorching overhead, they didn’t show any signs of exhaustion or hunger. Only the determination to complete the work was visible. Their labour and determination were levelling the ups and downs of the field. Huge trees were being felled in moments. Banana leaves, trees, and branches were turning into police stations, strong rooms, and sentry bunkers. Highways were being laid. Bamboo sticks were turning into vans, jeeps, and motorbikes. In two days, a town emerged in the forest. The ground turned into a battleground. Everyone was excited, eagerly awaiting instructions and the rehearsals.
The awaited time arrived. Vimal explained the plan with a large map drawn for rehearsals. Everyone’s attention was on the map.
“Comrades, the attack we are planning will be far from our movement area. It will require several hours of travel by vehicle. Secrecy is paramount. The structures we’ve built here represent our primary targets. To ensure success, there will be some ambush teams and additional attacks. The mission starts with killing the sentry. Four comrades will go on two motorbikes in police uniforms. We have 116 members in total, divided into 17 batches, each with specific responsibilities. Now, I will read the names of the batches for rehearsals,” said Vimal, and everyone waited anxiously for their names to be called. As names were read, people stood in line one after another. The commander explained the plan, and team commanders distributed weapons, preparing everyone for rehearsals.
By evening, everyone gathered near the kitchen for tea. By then, rehearsals had been going on for three days. Meanwhile, a cultural program was going on one side, and everyone was discussing the rehearsals they had completed.
“Comrades, after tea, everyone should gather at the ground. There’s a meeting,” announced the camp in-charge, and everyone went to the ground. Comrade A.R. started his speech.
“Comrades, you have all participated enthusiastically in the rehearsals. With the same enthusiasm and determination, we must participate in the operation against the enemy. The attack will be at night, so we need to rehearse one last time in the dark,” he said, and everyone stood up. After three days of rehearsals, everyone had gained such familiarity that they could execute the plan even with their eyes closed. Fireflies glimmered in the dark. The team to kill the sentry set out. The remaining teams were on alert.
In two minutes, there was a loud sound of bang-bang. All teams quickly moved into their positions. A runner from the commander’s team went to the other team commanders to get updates. When they needed a gas cutter to open the strong room, two comrades went with it. Within five minutes of starting, they were bringing out guns (sticks) from the strong room. The team that attacked the bank reported that they found the money. Once all teams reported their tasks were completed, the commander called for a retreat, and everyone gathered.
“Did any team face any issues?” the commander asked each team individually.
“No issues, everything is okay,” all team commanders reported. “Alright, let’s stop the rehearsals now. With the same enthusiasm and courage, prepare mentally and physically for the attack on the enemy. Our journey starts tomorrow. Everyone, get ready,” he said, and called for dispersal.
The dummy structures they prepared with great effort in two days were demolished in moments by the guerrillas. The determination to destroy enemy fortresses was evident in demolishing these structures. Everybody immersed themselves in their tasks in preparation for the journey the next day.
4
At 6 a.m., Kumar got off the bus and slowly walked to the end of the street, turned the corner, and went into the hotel opposite the temple, where he sat down. The temple’s entrance was clearly visible from his seat. Being a small town, there wasn’t much crowd. As he sipped his tea, he occasionally glanced toward the temple. Precisely at 6:30, Vimal was seen coming toward the temple. Kumar paid his bill, went outside, and signalled Vimal with his eyes to follow him, then walked straight ahead. Vimal followed Kumar. After reaching the end of the street and ensuring no one was observing them, they met.
“Is everything okay?” Kumar asked while walking.
“Yes, everything’s fine. How are things here?”
“Everything’s good, but there are some issues with vehicles.”
“Jagapathi and Ramji will come in the evening. Can we have a meeting tonight?”
“No problem. The house owners are Christians; they don’t care much. I told them I’m doing business, so I can say that those coming are related to that, or since we’re newlyweds, I can say they are relatives.”
While talking, they stopped in front of a house, and Kumar knocked on the door. Within two minutes, the door opened. Seeing Vimal with Kumar, Lakshmi greeted them happily, “How are you? How is everyone? How did Rajitha and Swaroopa’s encounter take place? How did Arun, Latha, and Ramana get caught?” She bombarded them with questions.
“Everyone’s fine. Arun and others were captured and killed. We don’t have full details yet. Rajitha and Swaroopa’s killing in the police encounter took place due to an informer. Enemy is conducting combings of the area very intensively,” Kumar explained what is happening in the field.
“Okay, you both sit down; I’ll start cooking,” Lakshmi said and left.
“We’ll handle the cooking, but you need to head to the meeting point now. Jagapathi and Ramji will arrive,” Vimal said, giving her the time and place of their arrival.
In the evening, as it was getting dark, Lakshmi came with Jagapathi and Ramji. They sat down for the meeting after having tea. Lakshmi turned on the TV to ensure their conversation couldn’t be overheard.
“Kumar, what’s the update on cell phones?” Ramji asked.
“Vehicles will also cost some money, but that’s not a problem. Our time is nearing, so it’s best to get everything ready,” Vimal said.
“At what time should we leave in the morning?” Ramji asked, looking at his cell phone.
“It’s best to leave by 5 a.m. The work will be finished by evening,” Kumar replied.
“It is better if we leave in pairs rather than all of us going together,” Vimal suggested, looking for everyone’s opinion.
They continued discussing late into the night. Lakshmi woke up to the sound of utensils clattering in the kitchen. She checked the time; it was 4 a.m. Wondering about who got up so early, she went to the kitchen and saw Kumar washing rice and chopping vegetables. Seeing Lakshmi, he said, “Why did you wake up so early?”
“I woke up to the noise. What are you doing?” she asked.
“We need to go out now. We’ll take food with us, so I’m cooking. I was going to wake you up in half an hour, but you got up early. I’ll take a bath now. Can you make some tea?” he asked. “By the way, I forgot, there’s an appointment at 10 a.m. today. You need to go and receive the comrades.”
“Buy these items on your way back,” Kumar said, handing her a list before heading for a bath.
Lakshmi didn’t know where Kumar and others were going or what they were doing, but she understood that it was an important task. When someone from the movement came twice before, they and Kumar would go out early in the morning and return by evening. She decided to do everything she could to ensure their work went smoothly and without any danger. She finished cooking with this resolve in her mind.
Meanwhile, the others woke up, completed their tasks, and got ready to leave. Lakshmi walked them to the door as they left.
“Red salute, comrade. We may not meet again for a while,” Vimal said, shaking hands. Ramji and Jagapathi also shook hands and left.
Lakshmi finished her tasks, ate, took the list Kumar gave her, locked the house, and went to the appointment place.
5
The guerrilla forces, ready for raid, split into two platoons and began their separate journeys. It had already been a week since they started. The enthusiasm from the rehearsal made the journey seem easy for everyone. Even though they started at 4 AM and it was now 10 AM, Kumari did not feel tired. Her thoughts were racing faster than the journey itself. She was very happy because a letter from Padma had arrived that morning. In the letter, Padma had insisted that she write about her experiences in the new place. So, Kumari was thinking about what to write to Padma and how to write it as she walked. In the meantime, they reached the village they were supposed to get to. After the commander conducted roll call and assigned firewood, kitchen, sentry duties and shown protective cover, everyone got busy with their tasks. Just then, Ramana and Kumar arrived from outside, carrying heavy loads. They greeted everyone with “Lal Salaam” and then went aside with the in-charge comrades for discussion. Kumari started writing a letter to Padma.
Dear Comrade Padma,
Lal Salaam. Your letter gave me a lot of enthusiasm and courage. I learned about everything happening there. Now I’ll tell you what’s happening here. With the spirit provided by Alipiri* attack, we are carrying out our tasks, amidst severe repression, with the protective cover provided by the people. The martyrdom of Rajitha and Swaroopa, who fell to the treachery of traitors, has intensified our resolve. With that resolve we conducted our rehearsals.
It has been a week since we started our journey towards the goal. It was said long ago that revolution is not a feast. We are moving forward by overcoming obstacles on new paths, climbing up and down large mountains, crossing streams, rivers, and roads. People who had never seen us before are warmly welcoming the party. They are feeding the guerrillas who are weary from their travels. They are helping us cross streams, rivers, and roads. Battling nature in the form of hot sun, rain and cold on one side, and staying vigilant against the enemy every moment with our weapons ready, we realize that we can do nothing without the support of the people. By the way, for the first time in my life, I travelled by train. Trains run by our house, and I used to see them every day, but I always wondered when I would get to ride it. I can’t describe that feeling in words. In this supposedly advanced society, many Adivasi people like me, haven’t even seen a bus, let alone ride one. In the struggle to overthrow this unequal system and establish an egalitarian society, the people’s hardships, their pain, and the sacrifices of martyrs keep fuelling our determination to move forward.
Well, the kitchen whistle has blown. The journey will resume after meals. That’s all for now. I look forward to your next letter.
Revolutionary Greetings,
Kumari.
***
After finishing the letter and going for lunch, Kumari saw Ramana and Kumar finishing their meal and getting ready to leave.
“Leaving already?” she asked, shaking hands with both of them.
“We are always in a rush to complete the work! We’ll meet again,” they said, shaking hands with everyone before leaving.
“Kumari, you seem to be deep in thought,” the commander, who had just come for lunch, asked.
“Nothing, I just wrote a letter to Padma,” she said, taking the letter from her pocket and giving it to him.
“Comrades! We have to depart by 3 p.m. everyone should be ready by then,” Vimal announced loudly for all to hear.
“Phew, so we can take some rest,” she thought, quickly finishing her meal and lying down on the polythene sheet. Thinking about when the letter would reach Padma and how she would feel reading it, Kumari drifted off to sleep, only to be awakened by the whistle call. Everyone got up and started packing their kits, and she too folded the polythene sheet and packed her kit.
The guerrilla journey resumed. Battling through cold nights, and covering themselves with blankets, they kept moving tirelessly towards their target.
6
From the morning of February 6, the guerrilla camp was bustling with activity. One batch was busy preparing fast food necessary for the journey. On the other side, some people were painting danger symbols and slogans on red banners. Others were making petrol bombs and booby traps. Those assigned to petrol bombs were sewing pouches from gunny sacks to store them. The commander was writing a press statement. Meanwhile, two long whistles were blown… everyone gathered in one place and sat down. Comrade Ramji cleared his throat, indicating he was about to speak.
“Comrades, we have come from different regions and are engaged for the past three months in the preparations to carry out this attack. We have overcome many hardships and obstacles, rehearsed amidst enemy combings and the martyrdom of our companions, and travelled long distances in the cold, heat, and rain, day and night. Tonight, we are going to raid,” he said.
“Please say it in Gondi too,” someone requested in the Gondi language. Ramji obliged and repeated it in Gondi. “Let’s discuss what we are going to attack and how,” he said, and everyone was filled with anticipation. They listened attentively in pin drop silence.
“We are going to attack the district headquarters. Our main objective is to seize weapons. We estimate there will be around 200 guns. Additionally, we will attack the jails nearby, the battalion a little further away, and three police stations on our retreat route simultaneously with different teams. There will also be some ambush teams. After having lunch, we will set out at 4 PM. All of you dump your kits and change into civilian clothes. If you have any doubts, speak up now or get to your tasks,” he concluded. Everyone got up and went to get their clothes.
“Someone has cleverly and thoughtfully selected these clothes,” said Comrade Vijay, laughing and holding up a pair of pants. They were pants that would fit anyone, making everyone laugh and pick the ones they liked. Those who needed civilian kits took them.
Everyone was anxious, thinking about when it would be 4 o’clock and when they would set out. After taking fast food packets and civilian clothes, they headed for a bath. At exactly 4 o’clock, everyone stood ready in formation. The commander kept checking his watch, noting that the comrades who went to fetch the vehicles hadn’t returned yet. Just then, those comrades arrived, signalling everything was okay. After an hour of walking, they reached the road at dusk, and the vehicles arrived. They split into two teams and boarded the vehicles.
The guerrillas split up and sat alone, or in pairs, or in groups, as per their responsibilities during the attack. They sat in the vehicles patting each other’s shoulders for encouragement, and bidding emotional farewells to their comrades, promising to meet again and again, and set out for Koraput.
7
Vehicles crossed the dirt road and got onto the tar road. Four people on two motorbikes were moving ahead, clearing the way. Many comrades, who had never seen such vehicles or even a small town in their lives, were peeking out eagerly from the narrow space inside the van by slightly lifting the cover. Shops, streetlights, vehicles, and people gathered in groups everywhere created a bustling scene.
The van was very cramped with over 50 people inside. Additionally, they were covered to avoid being seen, which prevented air from coming in. The smell of petrol from the petrol bombs added to the discomfort, causing some to vomit. As the number of people vomiting increased, they were made to sit at the back of the van with the cover slightly lifted. The raid party commander was waiting for caution. Meanwhile, word came that the two vans behind have not arrived yet.
Wondering what had happened, he instructed, “Stop the van in a dark spot without lights.” The van slowly came to a halt, and everyone was tense, wondering what had happened. The commander tried contacting via the set, but no information came from the other side. He pondered what to say if someone asked what they were doing in the van and told the comrades, “Everyone must stay quiet without causing any trouble. If someone asks, say we are going to a wedding.”
Fifteen minutes passed without any information. Just as they were thinking of sending someone, they heard the sound of a van approaching. The people on the motorbikes, wondering what had happened, came back. The van for which they were waiting finally arrived, and the commander got out with relief.
“What happened?”
“Nothing, they checked the vehicle on the way and let us go after taking some money.”
“No suspicion, right?”
“No.”
“Alright, let’s go. It’s already late. Stay close so we can see you,” he said, and they got back into their respective vans. The road was not very crowded, so the jeep coming behind overtook the two vans and went ahead. Suddenly, with a jolt, the van stopped.
“What happened now?” the commander asked the driver comrade.
“Don’t know, the jeep ahead stopped.”
Two comrades came running, saying, “The jeep tire is punctured.”
“We are already behind schedule. What now?”
“It’s okay. We can change the tire. It will take 15 minutes.”
“Alright, but park the van a bit to the side rather than leaving it here,” he instructed, and the driver moved the van aside. They resumed the journey after half an hour. As time was running out, all vehicles sped up. “Look, those lights. That’s the place of the police battalion,” the commander pointed out to the others.
“How much longer?” Kumari asked.
“Another 10 minutes,” he replied. Two minutes after passing the place of the battalion, two comrades on a bike came with the final reconnaissance information, informing the commander that everything was fine at the target location. “Alright, quickly change into your uniforms,” he instructed. As they were putting on police uniforms, a comrade came running from the jeep. Four policemen in civilian clothes followed him, shouting, “Stop. Stop.” Each one looked strong like a bull. “Who are you? Where are you going?” one asked in Odia, his tone arrogant with authority.
“We are Andhra Greyhounds,” they said, stepping out of the van with guns. The policemen were momentarily stunned. The comrades in police uniforms and those from the van behind quickly subdued the policemen and pushed them into the van. In the darkness and confusion, two comrades mistook each other for police and started fighting. Everyone quickly got into the van. The four policemen, realizing they were captured by Naxalites, were terrified. The tension inside the vehicles eased.
8
All the vehicles spread out and went to their respective targets. Motorbikes were taken to the headquarters. The effort of so many days will be tested in just a few moments. Everyone in the vans was holding their breath and straining their ears, listening for the signal to start the attack. Breaking the tension, at exactly 9:50, the sound of “bang… bang…” echoed all around, mingling with the commander’s “Advance” order. Guerrillas at the other target points, who were waiting for this command, attacked their targets with lightning speed. The entire town was captured within moments. Each enemy camp fell into the hands of the guerrillas. A rumour spread at the bus stand: “The Naxalites have blown up the station.” People ran towards the station to see the Naxalites.
The strong room door wouldn’t unlock. “Shall we use the detonator?” a runner asked the commander. Before the commander could respond, a woman struck the lock forcefully twice with an axe, and it fell off. Inside, there were dazzlingly arranged guns and boxes of bullets. Next to the van, four policemen were lying down. Kumari, who was guarding them, was eager to see the guns being loaded into the van. Her desire to go inside and carry the guns herself grew stronger every moment. Should she ask the commander? No, this is my duty too! She was hesitant. Just then, the runner came and said, “more people are needed to carry the guns”. “Kumari, only one person is needed here; you go and bring the guns” said the commander. Without waiting for his sentence to finish, she rushed inside.
Kumari’s movements quickened. She briskly carried the guns back and forth. She lost count of how many guns she had carried with her hands. Each time she came out to the gate, she was met with cheers and gazes from people, and the commander’s orders boosted her spirit even more. The entire scene seemed like a fast-paced, intense moment, where seconds felt like minutes. Every second was precious. Everyone was busy and tired, yet their eyes gleamed with energy as they carried the guns swiftly. One by one, the vehicles were loaded with guns. The people’s cheers grew louder, and large crowds gathered, creating an atmosphere of a grand spectacle.
It seemed like a grand festival full of enthusiasm and excitement. A warning to retreat was given as time was running out. Messages were exchanged rapidly. Communication sets were buzzing with messages. Runners and messengers were in a tremendous haste. Some of them encouraged the people, while the people cheered the comrades even more. Kumari’s movements slowed down. She started walking leisurely, waving to the people by the roadside. She reached the vehicle she was supposed to board with an indescribable feeling. This was her first raid, a great experience, an unforgettable event. The vehicles started moving. People touched the Annas and Akkas boarding the vehicles, saying goodbye. Shouts of “Victory!” echoed around. Kumari’s vehicle also picked up speed. She gazed intently at the place they had attacked from the moving van. What a sensation, what a miracle in just a few minutes. This is an unforgettable event in my life, thought Kumari.
Amid the cheers of the people, with the enemy’s armoury captured, the People’s Guerilla Army bid farewell with victorious slogans and triumphant joy upon the commander’s retreat command.
9
The vehicles, loaded with guns, left one after another. It was past 11 PM. The road was dark, deserted, and silent. Kumari started singing. Those sitting on the boxes of bullets in the van were jolted with every bump. By the time they reached the third station, it was bustling. The furniture at the station seemed to have been set on fire. It was still burning. “Anna, have some food,” the Akkas from the nearby places brought food right to the station. As soon as they saw the food, everyone remembered their hunger. “Anna, you forgot this gun,” a little girl carefully brought a gun that was left behind at the station. After greeting everyone with “Lal Salaam,” the vehicles filled with guns and guerrillas passed through the roads and villages heading towards the forest.
The vehicles stopped in the middle of the forest. Everyone, along with Kumari, got down enthusiastically. By the time the guns were distributed among the people, it was 4 AM. People from four villages reached there in just a few minutes. The commander spoke loudly. “Dear comrades, these are all the weapons we have captured. We raided the enemy’s camp and brought these weapons. These are the weapons secured by the guerrillas. We brought these for the people’s war. It’s the people’s responsibility to protect them. They need to be taken away. Akkas and Annas, carry as many as you can.” There was a big movement at once. People lined up for the weapons. Hundreds of weapons were carried away in a few moments. Akkas tied the guns like bundles of firewood and carried them while Annas carried them tying them to the two ends of a wooden beams like a yoke. Small children carried one or two guns on their heads according to their strength. The speed of the people was greater than that of the guerrillas. The number of guns, their weight, and the distance didn’t matter before their enthusiasm. In moments, they crossed mountains and valleys, carrying the guns as if they had legs.
The attack was as swift as the transportation of the guns. The people’s cheers in Koraput and the sounds of the Annas’ and Akkas‘ footsteps in the forest had a certain similarity. Kumari felt as if she was floating in the air with excitement and joy. Hunger, sleep, and fatigue all vanished. Kumari’s face glowed brightly with a victorious smile that was pure, free… and reflected her personality…
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Kumari had a courageous heart. She also had a good personality encompassing kindness, cooperation, and determination. When she was told to stay with the patient who was injured during the raid, she accepted the responsibility with a smile. She took care of the patient for a month, carrying him from village to village, climbing and descending hills in the forest, enduring hardships with a smile, providing excellent service, and protecting the patient very carefully.
It was March 8th. As she was returning after handing over the patient’s responsibilities to another person in another area, she was walking in front as the guide to Sashi and Vijay when a rain of bullets from the mango grove riddled her heart and body with holes. The entire Upper Sumbi area near Kotia was filled with gunfire and echoes from the hills changed the atmosphere. Kumari collapsed first. Within moments, she breathed her last. Vijay and Sashi too were martyred.
In the memorial meeting for the brave warrior Kumari of Koraput raid fame, Padma vividly recalled her memories. She repeatedly read the last letter Kumari had written to her. When she tried to speak, her voice choked up. It felt as though her heart was being squeezed. A joy is immediately followed by sorrow, as sacrifice is inevitable in any struggle. The battle glorifies martyrdom. The mingled sacrifice writes a new chapter in the history of the battle.
Notes:
Anna – elder brother; used to refer to a male Naxalite
Akka – elder sister; used to refer to a female Naxalite
Lal salaam – red salute
Alipiri* – On October 1st 2003, People’s War Naxalites carried out an attack using claymore mines on the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri toll gate, on the ghat road leading to Tirumala hills from Tirupati. The impact of the blast hurled the car into the air but the injured Chandrababu Naidu survived it.
(Translation of “Apratihatam”. [Initially published in Arunatara June-July 2004] From the collection of “Viyyukka”) – Translated by N. Ravi
