Red Blood Black Rose

Nakharaghat

Although this forest land of Shal-Mahua is not in Bengal, there was a time, that is, sixty or seventy years ago, when many Bengalis, especially wealthy Bengalis, used to come to this area of ​​the neighboring state. Some of them used to come to recover their health in the beautiful environment of nature, while others used to come to hunt. At that time, tigers could also be seen in this area. Whatever tigers were there, the white-skinned and their black-skinned countrymen would soon clear them. It took almost twenty-five years after independence to make a wildlife conservation law in this country, and hunting of wild animals was prohibited. Even though the law was late, maybe that is why, or maybe not the tigers, several wild animals still survive in this area. Some animals like wolves, hyenas, bears. In addition, deer and wild boars. Therefore, this forest area is currently a protected forest area, and there is also an office of the Forest Department here. There is a small staff quarter next to the tin-roofed office surrounded by barbed wire, and a house that looks like a pond surrounded by water at the back of the office. Sometimes, small wild animals are rescued and kept there. Then they are taken care of and released into the forest or sent to the zoo in Ranchi. Apart from Kaustov, there are only three employees in this small office of the forest department. One of them is a peon and two are forest guards. Kaustov, however, has only been in charge of this office for a week. His subordinate peons and forest guards have been working here for several years.

At eight in the morning, Mr. Mishra, who is a senior, appeared alone at Kaustov's office from Hazaribagh city. People call him 'Mishirji'. He is a middle-aged, strong-looking man. Misirji has been in the forest department for a long time. This is Mishirji's place after the DFO Sahib, the head of Dhritimana's Dandamund. He came here to explain some official documents to the newly appointed subordinate officer Kaustov and to inspect the office.

It didn't take him more than an hour to explain the documents to Kaustov. When Kaustov finished that task, he said to Mishirji, "You can stay here with me today, sir. You know better than me that the local rooster here tastes better than anywhere else. Besides, Phagua has made all the other arrangements."

All the other arrangements mean foreign liquor or whiskey. Mishir Sahib has been here many times before. Peon Phagua knows about his drinking habits. When the bigwigs come from the city to visit the office, they have a long-standing tradition of being treated to food and drink. So with Kaustov's permission, Phagua has collected all that from the city yesterday.

It is the rainy season. The forest is closed for tourists or outsiders at this time. The workload in the department is also relatively low. After hearing the subordinate officer's proposal, Mishirji, perhaps after thinking a little, said, "You can stay here for a day if you want. Apart from that, there is also work to be done here."

Koustav was about to ask him, "What work, sir?" But before that, he said to the forest guard Budhu Singh, who was standing near the door of the house, "Your home is in Lachmipur village, right?"

There are small tribal villages surrounded by forests in this forest area. Lachmipur is one of them. Although Kaustav has not had the opportunity to visit these places here yet.

Hearing Mishirji's words, Budhu Singh replied, "Yes, sir."

After hearing his answer, Mishirji said to him, "Do you know that a girl shows a bear game in the market there? Did you tell your new boss?’

Showing or petting any kind of wild animal is currently prohibited by law. Although monkeys or bears are still shown playing in some places in these regions. Budhu Singh did not tell Kaustav. So he stood with his head bowed after hearing the question.

Hearing Budhu Singh’s answer, Mishirji expressed a little anger and said to Budhu Singh, ‘I got the news sitting in Hazaribagh city and you cannot know about your village. I also got the news that that girl lives somewhere nearby with her bear. Actually, you did not tell your boss about it because it was a matter of your village.’

Hearing Mishirji’s words, Budhu Singh admitted the matter and said, ‘Ji Saab, that girl’s name is Chamia. The animal is kept in a hut on the edge of the forest near the village.’

Mishirji then looked at Kaustov and said, ‘Since you asked me to stay here today, let’s make the most of the day. Let’s go out. We have to rescue that bear.’

Listening to the elder’s instructions, Kaustov said, ‘Okay, sir, I will make arrangements.’