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| Pa. Singaram |
Chapter 2: The Plunder
The chaos that was orchestrated around Thana
Labbang Park was extremely frightful. Was it just a dream or was it actually
happening? People were running amok here and there, holding bundles of cloths
on their heads and hands. Bales of cigarettes, spare parts of bicycles, radio
boxes, books, new pens, button cards and chocolate boxes were found scattered
all around. Those who happened to run past that area picked up the things
strewn on the floor as much as they could and collected the things that fell
from people who were running ahead of them. The mixed sounds of “flock of
humans” were reverberating on the north and south sides of the park.
Silverware, glassware, tables, chairs, linen bed
sheets, and velvet window curtains were seen taken away from Tibur Hotel. The
‘Flag of Freedom’, freshly wrapped around the dark greenish bronze statue of
Karuda, was flapping in the wind.
Three men who were going towards north in Belawan
Street took a turn to right. Vidde Soseeththaath– the building once
functioned as White People Association stood limbless after losing all its
appeal. The manic sound of fire that engulfed Peppe Yem petrol bunk
in the north which was set ablaze a day ago was now clearly audible. Sounds of
barrels blasting in fire were also heard – traaa….ammmm…..traaaa….ammmm.
Godowns of companies were found demolished. The crowd of humans thronged into
it like a swarm of winged ants with furious uproar- the frenzy of looting.
Outside, men were pacing fast and falling down holding oval tins, tyres, boots
and torch lights.
The crowd of human beings was tottering with the
loads of loot. All eyes were filled with a singular aim- Loot! Loot! Loot! None
was there to question them. None was there to stand on their way to stop them!
One could take as much as he could if he preferred so, and keep as much as he
could if he had enough space. Loot! Loot! Loot everywhere.
A crowd riding bicycles was coming from the railway
station. The creased daggers kept in leather sheaths were clearly visible. Both
the men who came by bicycles and the ones who were busy looting were shouting
in unison – “Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!”
“Let’s move!” Pandian lifted his leg from the
ground and started pedalling the bicycle. They took a turn at Pinjai Way.
The pearl like water was flowing towards sea in the north through River Bridge
and the banks with thick growth of grasses and reeds. The crimson colour birds
looking like Mina were found hopping.
A mixed uproar of chaotic noises and howling came
from Bentheng area. The cycles turned towards left. A flock of
men was dancing with its mouth wide open and eyes filled with craze.
“Yaa…Ali! Yaa…Ali!”
Pots, vessels and other sundry items were found
scattered. Tables, chairs. Mattresses, and pillows were burning. The Dutch soldiers
who were trapped in Medan City and those who couldn’t escape due to their ill
health were howling, unable to bear the beatings. Blood was streaking out from
their head as their skulls were broken.
“Yaa…Ali! Yaa…Ali!”
They pulled the women out of the fort. Those
hapless women standing without cloths were hiding their faces with hands and
crying helplessly.“Aiyaiyoov…O Mariyaa….aiyaiyoovvv”
They were dragged, pulled by their hair, hands and
legs to the grass bed that lay in the front. They were lying nude on the grass
as unknown faces standing around, staring at them. Under the clear sun light,
with the full view of villagers, with the full view of the world, with the
acknowledgement of both ears and eyes of everyone around, they were raped in
full public view. “Aiyaiyoov…O Mariyaa….aiyaiyoovvv”
The sun was watching; the land was holding them;
and the villagers were enjoying the show.
Pandian turned his face and quoted a sentence from
an old Tamil Literature. “Ah…the penance of saints and the chastity of women
won’t be given respect if they are not guarded by able bodied men”
“Pandi…” Thangaiya gently touched Pandian’s back
and told, “Have you ever thought even in dreams that you would be destined to watch
such a show at this place?”
“This is the result of factors that come together
at an opportune time. Let’s move”
“Yes…nude soldiers won’t like the ones with cloths”
The bicycles climbed on the bridge and then went
down.
The scene enacted around the park remained unchanged.
People were running in Belawan Street in the north and Kesawan Street in the
south, hitting each other and falling down.
“We can understand the importance of our ancient
literature only when such things happen” – his hand pointed at the rear and
uttered, “A man without fetters is a very dangerous animal. Isn’t he?”
“Koolavaanigan Chathanar 1 must
have written the lines only after witnessing such scenes- the penance of saints
and the chastity of women won’t be given respect if they are not guarded by able
bodied men” Thangaiya remarked. “My English teacher Ambalavanar used to
quote this line quite often”
“I was also thinking about these lines”
They could see a big crowd assembled in front of
Davros junction. The upper part of a military truck marching towards Bolonia
was visible above human heads. Both the men turned to Avudu Market.
Some Sikh watchmen were busy talking to each other
rolling their eyes and waving their hands near Thaiseen shop. They walked
through Mango Tree Street and went down towards South.
The Dutch bungalows were found locked. Grass beds were
looking like green carpet. Flowers blooming in creepers that had grown thick were
obstructing the view of wall. Asliya flower beds with dense red flowers.
Magnolia trees with white flowers radiating an intoxicating
fragrance…. ‘No violence in this street so far.’
The pillage in Juliana Way was ghastly. The looters
were carrying window panes, ash trays, cloths and whatever that came to their
hand in bicycles and tongas. Some even spread their lungi on streets and
bundled up their booties. It appeared that radios and refrigerators were
already taken away by the people who had looted before them.
The Beatrix Lawn looked like a human ocean. Army
godowns were located in that area. Fully fuelled lorries, cars and motor
bikes which were kept ready for rapid discharge during war went out one after
the other and disappeared with the speed of wind. The godown entrance witnessed
a nasty fight among people to claim the loots. Those who displayed courage could
overpower others and get away with the vehicles. Suddenly, the sound of gun
shots filled in the air…
“tum…tutummmm….tututtummmm”
Some policemen commanded by Inspector Wickelman
came running in front of them, shooting in the air holding the guns above their
heads.
“Avaas…Avaas” their thick voice of warning
followed the bullet sound.
In lightning of a second, Pandian turned his
bicycle and drove faster. ‘These policemen have come from nowhere. The
Japanese army might have ordered them to contain the plunder’
As far as the distance he could see, many were
riding bicycles with their crooked torsos. The sound of footsteps of those who
were running on both sides of the road was rhythmic. Thillaimuthu came running
from behind and overtook him.
“tttttt…..trrrrrr…..tatatrrrrrrr” gun shots from
Tommy guns! Japanese soldiers were moving in bicycles in lightning speed! The
sounds of soldiers running fast were reverberating in the houses.
“tttttt…..trrrrrr…..tatatrrrrrrr”- gun shots
continued. Two airplanes were flying low in circles in opposite directions.
Pandian and Thillaimuthu entered Moski Straat at
the same time. Thangaiya reached there after some time.
After eating at Fat Goose’s hotel, they left for
their places.
***End***
Note:
1. Koolavaanigan Chathanaar- The poet who wrote one of the five epic stories of Tamil
literature “Manimegalai”
Coming up next: Chapter 3: "Five Heads"
