Four
For the last few days Manzur had seen spending his time in restlessness. On certain occasions his heartbeat increases. His mind was very unsettled. He could not concentrate on anything. Such things happened to him when a danger was near. He knew there was danger ahead.
But what was his danger! He was thinking about his wife and his children. His wife Nafisa, son Naushad and daughter Asha left for Canada six months ago. They had already become immigrants there.
There has been no contact with them for quite a while. Surly they were in no danger. He rushed to the phone. So they are all there. He talked to all of them. There was no problem. Then what was the problem? He was asking himself. Why was he feeling so restless? Were some serious problems waiting for him? He was thinking haven and earth. He also thought about the future of his job. He thought he might not complete the term of his Job as the number of forced retirement had increased unusually. As his elder brother was an opposition politician he had to face many tribulations. Many times he was at the point of losing his Job. However he stayed in his post. He got his promotion at regular intervals. In fact luck always favored him. It was pure luck that he could reach the position of AIG.
He was thinking that he could serve the Police Department for another eight years. He was eager to spend the remainder of his job in peace and comfort. He was contemplating that he would go on voluntary retirement if he did not get promotion. He would do something. If he failed to succeed in his endeavor he had other option. In that case he would fly Canada. His family was there.
Though he consoled himself with this plan his tension did not lessen. He was not feeling at ease in Chittagong even for a moment. He decided to return immediately to Dhaka.
He talked with the Inspector General of Police over telephone sought his permission to leave the station and got it. Thereafter he left for Dhaka.
As soon as he arrived in Dhaka he got the news of Akmal. His elder brother Mansur Ahmad told him everything about the arrest of Akmal.
He could not understand how such an important decision was taken keeping him in darkness. He was the number three person in the Police Department. If politics did not play any role in checking his promotion would become the IGP within a few years. His only nephew was arrested without his knowledge. He was really baffled. If his nephew were really accused in a murder case he could be arrested talking him in confidence. He could not believe that his nephew was arrested and that too in a murder case. From home he contacted different sources of the Police Department to know the background of his nephew’s arrest.
No proof of involvement of Akmal Kabir with any murder was found. If Akmal murdered anyone he would have no hesitation to hand over him to the police authority. But he was innocent and some responsibility would automatically fall on him. The Police department has a bad reputation taking bribes. But the police department had done such excellent jobs that deserve appreciation.
The event perturbed Manzur very much. During his long career in the Police Department he had hardly encountered such a situation.
He was very much worried about the issue of Akmal.
At last Manzur Ahmed started for the residence of the Inspector General. He thought if he talked with him he could get some information about the arrest of Akmal. The IG must know the matter. Why did he keep Manzur in the dark? He could inform him. This would have created no problem. But the IG did not bother to do that. If Akmal was really involved in any murder, naturally he would be arrested. In that case he would not have intervened for his nephew.
He felt that the IG was very much aware that he never compromised with his principle.
By that time Mr. Mansur’s car had reached the residence of the Inspector General of Police. As soon as he got out of the car a sentry told him, that the IGP had gone out on an emergency. Before leaving he had instructed the sentry to tell him that he would himself ring Mansur.
Manzur Ahmed was surprised. He found that everything was eluding him. He had come to meet the IGP after fixing an appointment from him. But he was not at his residence. It was really strange. Was he trying to avoid him! ‘Why should he avoid me?’ Manzur asked himself. Again he thought it couldn’t be. Perhaps he had gone out on an emergency.
‘Let it go. Let me go to Mohsin Ali.’ He said to himself, ‘Perhaps he may give some information about Akmal.’ Then he got back into the car. Soon he was at the home of Mohsin Ali was reading a newspaper in his balcony. When he saw Manzur, Mohsin was surprised. He asked, ‘Sir what bring you here? What’s the matter?’
‘Why, quipped Manzur ‘Am I not allowed to come to your home?’
‘No, you are always welcome.’ replied Mohsin Ali. ‘Only that you have never get foot in my home. That’s why I was asking what made you come here. What would you take tea or coffee?’
‘No, I won’t take anything,’ said Manzur ‘I have come to you for a special reason. I hope, as a colleague you will of course help me.’
‘Surely’ replied Mohsin Ali. ‘Sir, please tell me how can I help you.’
‘The police have arrested my nephew Akmal. He has been implicated in a murder case. Do you know anything about this?’
‘No, I don’t. When was he arrested? Which police station?’ Mohsin Ali wanted to know. ‘No one can say for sure where he was arrested and by the police of which police station’. Manzur replied. He continued. Some plain dress police men arrested him. During the time of arrest he was told that he had been accused in a murder case.’ ‘Sir, you should have told me earlier. It is such a big incident’ said Mohsin Ali.
‘I heard the news only today.’ Replied Manzur, I had to go to Chittagong the day after seizure of arms and ammunition.’
‘Sir, did you inquire in the police stations?’
‘Not in all polish station, said Manzur. ‘I asked the Detective branch and the Special branch offices and different intelligence agencies. No one can say anything for sure.’
‘Strange,’ said Mohsin Ali, ‘Sir you can do something. Inquire in all the police stations. The event must be recent.’
Manzur nodded.
Mohsin Ali said, ‘There must be records in the police stations. The intelligence agencies should know. Sir, please tell me frankly about your nephew.’
‘I can tell you with confidence that the boy is of innocent type,’ replied Manzur. I never found him getting involved in any sort of problem or dispute. He is a very meritorious boy. He had first class all through in his education career. He was about to the university as a teacher.’
‘Oh yes, exclaimed Mohsin Ali. ‘The boy is missing. No one knows his whereabouts. But how can it be? Sir, did you talk with the IGP?’
I went to his residence for this purpose. But he had left his residence to attend an emergency meeting. I could not meet him’ said Manzur.
‘I think you should talk with the IG immediately.’ suggested Mohsin Ali, and officially direct The DMP (Dhaka Metropolitan Police) to inquire in all police stations of the capital. The issue should not be taken lightly. By the by, Sir Are you sure that it was the police which arrested him? I wonder, someone in the guise of police may have kidnapped him. No, there is little chance of kidnapping.’
Manzur said, ‘He is not the son of any businessman that the kidnappers would be interested in to get a few lakh taka as ransom. His father is simply a teacher, a man of fixed income.’ Yes, you are right sir, said Mohsin Ali. ‘Sir, you search in your way and I shall also try to get information. I shall ring you to inform of any development. But please meet the IGP. Don’t delay.’ Mohsin Ali added, ‘If I talk with the IG, about this he would probably mind.’
‘It may happen that Sir may not tell me everything. He will be open to you.’ Mohsin Ali continued, ‘Let me see what can be done. Please ring me tomorrow night. If we meet in the evening we can talk.’
‘I think I’ll leave now. I’ll talk to you later’, said Manzur and left the place.
After saying goodbye to Manzur Ahmed, Mohsin Ali began to brood over the issue. He said to himself, ‘none of us knew anything! But such a big event has taken place! Manzur Ahmed is one of the honest men in the Police Department. He is a man of strict principle. He earned honour for his honesty and integrity. I myself could not adhere to principle as he did. Now his nephew has been put into an awkward situation.
