Eleven
At last a clue to the arrest of Akmal was found. If this clue could be exploited, an inquiry could then be started and the mystery of Akmal’s could be unearthed. A student of Humayun Kabir, whose name is Nabil, apparently had some information about Akmal’s arrest.
Humayun Kabir laid stress on the clue provided by his student. To follow it up, he would have to take a disguise. Otherwise it would not be possible to dig out the information. Except in disguise he would not get any co-operation from anyone. Perhaps fundamental elements were involved in the incident. They had been disturbing Humayun Kabir since the independence of Bangladesh. They wanted to remove Humayun Kabir from the world, but they were not successful. There is proverb, ‘If Allah saves, who can kill? He was still alive.’
Since his childhood he had seen fighting against the fundamental outfits. As a result he had to lose many things. Now the attack had come on his only inheritor Akmal Kabir. Humayun Kabir thought, it was necessary to talk with Marufa over the issue. Her advice would be of great help, She would be able to advice him correctly. He called her. She was preparing to go to her college. For a long time she had not been to go to her college. Her long absence might problems for the class, examinations. She therefore decided to go to college. After taking classes for a few days she would again apply for leave. Until she had got any trace of Akmal it would not be possible on her part to pay attention to her classes. She wrote an application to the principal. As soon as she finished writing the application she rushed to Humayun Kabir`s room. She was worried. What’s the matter’, she asked him have you got any information about Akmal?’
Instead of a reply Humayun Kabir asked, ‘Are you very busy?’
Marufa said, ‘I should go to college. I shall have to take a few honours and Masters Classes. If I take classes for the next two or three days, my job will be over. Then I can go on leave for another month.’
I don’t think that should be a problem. But do you have some time to hear what I have to say?
‘Why not,’ of course, I have time. Go on, tell me. Marufa said.
‘Then be calm and sit down,’ said Humayun.
‘Marufa sat down on the chair’.
‘I got a clue about Akmal’, started Humayun Kabir.
‘What’s the clue? Is it about Akmal?’ Marufa wanted to know.
‘Yes, don’t you believe it?’ Humayun asked her.
‘Well how did you get it?’ She was curious.
‘Don’t be exited’. Have patience. I am telling you everything.’ Humayun said.
‘No introduction is necessary, please go on. Marufa requested.’
‘One of my dear student’s gave me some facts. If I proceed on the basis of those, I shall have to take a disguise. I shall have to become a full fledged Maulana.’
‘What are you saying? A moulana?
‘If necessary you’d have to take a disguise too. We’ll do whatever is necessary to dig out the news.
How can I help?
I don’t need any help yet. I’ll ask you when I need it.’ said Humayun Kabir ‘Please see it that you get your leave as soon as possible. I may require you any moment.’
‘Should I take leave from tomorrow?’ Asked Marufa.
‘If possible, do that’ said Humayun.
‘Let me go to the college then. But you didn’t tell me what the clue is.’ Marufa reminded her husband.
Humayun Kabir said, ‘A recognized Razakar. He is now in the ruling party and he had become an influential person.’ Humayun said, ‘Recently his daughter committed suicide. He spread information around that it was murder. There is strong possibility that this person is behind Akmal being implicated in the murder case.’
‘Is it true? Marufa wanted to know.
‘Yes. But to find out I’d have to make friend with that Razakar[1]. I’ve to get the information from this man.’
‘It’d be very dangerous.’ remarked Marufa.
‘Well, are you going out or staying at home?’ Humayun Kabir asked his wife.
‘Yes answered Marufa. I’ll be gone in a minute, and will come back soon. I’ll ask one of my colleague to take my classes.
‘Well. You may, go.’ said Humayun. ‘I shall go to New Market to buy my dress. ‘You should buy a burqa for me.’ reminded Marufa, Yes, I’ll get it in New Market. It might be useful.’
‘O.K. I shall do that,’ said Humayun.
After seeing off Marufa, Humayun Kabir closed the door and came back to the drawing room. He went to the kitchen and made for himself a cup of strong tea. With the cup of tea he returned to the drawing room and reclaimed on easy chair. He dropped into the world of thoughts. Whenever he faced any serious problem he reclined against the easy chair. Then he began to think that the easy chair was a tool to solve his problem. He would have taken a disguise to start his own probe. Humayun Kabir thought that the people belonging to the top Razakar ideology was after him. They would not let him stay in peace. As they could not overpower they decided had decided to take revenge on his son. He knew that the same people were for brushing past the history, including the Razakar. They’d say, ‘Forget the past; It is not wise to dig into the different roles of different persons in the past. Forgetting all kinds of difference everyone should be untied to push the country forward. That’s the best way.
Humayun asked himself. ‘Even if one wants to forget, can one really forget? Is it possible to erase all traces of history? The history, if it written truthfully can’t be forgotten. We must identify our enemies; attack after attacks will befall us. Besides, the Razakars are not allowing us to forget the past. They are like venomous snakes. Whenever they get a chance they will bite. When we call for the trial of the Razakars we are told, ‘Why do you to divide the nation?’ How funny their sound! When the Razakars are attacked, a group of people become agitated. They can’t tolerate such attacks but when the freedom fighters are attacked it is said, bad time is passing. You can’t say anything. These are the people who are aware that they are partners of power.
Great sons of the soil laid down their lives for the independence of Bangladesh. Millions of mothers and sisters had lost their honours. Thousands of freedom fighters were maimed and they were leading a tragic life. They were the only who faced the country. In return what did they get? They got nothing but neglect and insult. They didn’t even get food on their plate. They were given jobs as doorkeepers at the houses of the Razakars.
On the other hand during the liberation the Razakars had made their fortune through loot. After liberation they took shelter under the shadow of the rulers and managed to get all sorts of facilities. Now they’re partners in power. They had earned billions. In time they also become great freedom fighters. Fie on the black sheep of the country. If we had to see such a reversal, such ironies why did we take up arms in those days? Did we do that to bring the Razakars to power?
No, it can’t be. The Razakars had no right to rule the country or share power. One of Humayun Kabir’s friends from the school days frequently said, ‘Look Humayun, after liberation, I surrendered my arms, but I didn’t surrender my training. If needed, I’ll take up the arms again. We’ll free the country from the grip of Razakar as we freed the country from the grip of Pakistan occupation force in 1971. Humayun Kabir let out a sigh and then sat down straight. He thought he should check the phone number Nabil had given him. Then he pushed the buttons of the telephone. From the other end came a busy tone. He re-dialed. The phone rang. A heavy voice comes from that end – ‘Shafiqul Azam speaking’.
The name seemed very familiar to him. As soon as he hard his voice he hung up. He said to himself ‘Then my student gave me correct information. It won’t be wise to make delay. He would have to get down to job as early to possible. When he looked at his watch he was a little bit surprised. So much time had passed. He had to go to New Market. Mentally he was preparing the plan of his new mission. He decided to start his mission from the afternoon.
Note:
[1] Razakar: Bangladesh declared independence on 26th March 1971. In April the same year Pakistan Military formed Razakar force to combat the freedom fighters and freedom loving people of Bangladesh. Razakar is the merger of Arabic and Persian words. The dictionary meaning of the word is just a volunteer.
