It was one of my usual trips to my native place. I boarded the train from Bangalore to Thanjavur. It starts from Bangalore at 7pm and reaches Thanjavur at 6am which means that I can be at home for the early morning coffee.
Onboard the train, the usual chats with fellow passengers to spend the few hours before we go to sleep. The political situation in Delhi, the plight of the farmers in Thanjavur, water scarcity, pollution, theft, robbery and every known problem on earth was analyzed. Then its finally time to bade good night.
I was about to lie down when two policemen came to me with a complaint.
"Its usually we who make complaint to them. What's wrong with them". I thought.
They were upset by the non availability of seats for them.
"May be they are returning from their days work and they badly needed a sleep". I thought.
In my mind a comparison between my job and theirs ran quickly. I don't have any physical job to do. The only times I move out of my desk was for having tea or lunch. But these people. Just look at the responsibilities they have. They have to go to the problem sites at short notice, take control of the situation, settle down disputes, control violence.
"These people's life is always at risk". I reflected.
As I was on the side lower berth, it's easy for three people to sit. So I offered them the place they very much needed. They were hesitant at first. They are looking for a place where they can lie down and sleep.
But as there is no place left, they finally decided to sit in the place I had offered them. One on each side of me. Both of them were carrying a pistol. Both of them were huge. A typical Indian(south) police look. For a moment I felt like a criminal in their custody.
Sitting between them, there is no way for me to sleep. So I decided to talk to them to find out how difficult it is for them to be a police. So I started (and ended) with this question.
"Sir! are you returning from the days work".
A look of amusement came over their face. One of them said, "We are in night shit. We are on duty now".
I was completely taken aback. These people say that they are on duty and why do they look for a place to sleep. At least I don't sleep at work. Even if I don't have anything to do.
Then the policeman explained about the increase in the crimes that happen in the train, and a team has been deployed to take care of the situation. He also mentioned that the sub inspector was sleeping in the next compartment and so they came into this compartment to find a place.
"Oh... what respect they give for their boss", I thought. "But is that what they are supposed to do", I was tempted to ask.
A lady crossed the way and the other constable who was silent for long nodded to his companion. Their gestures looked as though they were exchanging some secret. Probably they have cracked down on a spy who was eluding for a long time.
"These women will do anything", one of them finally whispered.
"Anything" stressed the other.
What is anything? I was a little puzzled. And to add to it the conversation continued.
"Anything happens on the train these days".
"Everything" stressed the other again.
What is this anything and everything that these men are talking about? Isn't it that these men's job is to see to it that nothing happens on the train?
Then its the turn of a drunkard to pass thro us. One of the constable, dutifully stopped him and enquired.
"You seem drunk! where are you going".
"To the toilet", the drunkard signaled.
"Don't go into the next compartment. SI is sleeping there. Even we are sitting here because of that", the constable cautioned. The drunkard nodded and left.
"What a sense of duty", thought I.
What a bad travel it had come to be. All the people in the train are sleeping peacefully and here I am, unable to sleep and putting up with the nuances of these constables. Do they know what they are supposed to do? They don't seemed to be ashamed of what they were doing or what they were talking. They got so much used to it that they feel that's all is their duty.
I was disturbed by a strange sound. The sound of the constables snoring. They have fallen asleep. The guns they were carrying were no more in their grip. I took the guns in my hand. It was heavy.
What will happen if the guns are taken by somebody who wants to create havoc. I held the guns in my grip. Protecting the guns from being taken away. Till the next morning when I woke up the policemen before I left the train.
What a secure travel it had been.
