ANDAMAN SHEEKHA

The True Mirror of A & N Islands

A TRIBUTE TO SARDAR PARTAP SINGH

by 1 Comment

SHEEKHA1107201601

Dr. Francis Xavier
Sardar Partap Singh is no more. He fought valiantly, in the Second World War, against poverty, against government apathy, but the final war with pain was too much for the aged lion. He surrendered.
Sardar Partap Singh came to me about 2002 when I was OSD to LG. He had a bunch of papers but he was not aware what they were, being illiterate. He told the story of joining the British Indian army as a machine gunner/driver and fighting the Germans in Sudan during WW II. He was taken captive in Benghazi and taken to Germany. There he joined the INA along with many Indian POWs. When Netaji came to meet the Fuhrer it was he who drove the vehicle. He spoke a bit of German to prove he was there. After the war he was again arrested, brought to India for the Red Fort Trials and discharged from the Army. He wandered about looking for a living. Finally he came to Andamans in the 80s and worked in ATI. He was living in a ramshackle house in D’Oyly Gunj and finding it hard to pay even the rent. He wanted to know if he could get Freedom Fighter status and pension.
I took up the matter with the INA veterans office in Delhi. One Capt. S.S. Yadava was very helpful. He cross checked Partap Singh’s details and confirmed that he was eligible for freedom fighter pension. It was taken up with the concerned ministry and soon Partap Singh started getting a good pension. When he got the arrears he came to me and innocently said, “There’s so much money, I don’t know what to do with it.” It was, of course, just a small amount.
After that he became a celebrity. He was being invited for all state functions. He went to Delhi and met the Prime Minister and the President. He would always come to my office after each trip and describe to me what had happened there. He was still having problems with getting all the benefits of a freedom fighter. I read in the papers that the Tamil Nadu government had given a rent free flat to a woman INA veteran. I took up the matter with Hon’ble LG and immediately he was allotted a flat in Chakkergaon. He was ecstatic. But he fell for the first time and fracture his leg. He recovered slowly. His son in law would phone me and tell me if anything was needed.
After I returned to the college we regularly met at state functions. He would fondly embrace me and tell about the family. When I called him for the Netaji Memorial Lecture in JNRM he happily obliged in spite of his feeble health. He was introduced to the gathering who gave him a standing ovation.
When I heard he again fell down I was abroad. I was worried if he could pull through this time. I was about to go to the hospital today when I got Dr Rashida Iqbal’s phone. “The Lion is no more.”
I consider it a great privilege that I got to meet and share the memories of this freedom fighter, who was not even aware of what his rights were. There are many like him, unsung and unrecognised. But in the Islands we were able to take care of him and treat him with respect.
I will miss Sardar Partap Sing very badly. But his memories will live with me as long as I live. Farewell Sardar Partap Singji, till we meet again.

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LVI (FINAL), (Continued from last week)

“Stop! Stop the hanging! By order of the Governor General!”

Terrible shouts were heard from the direction of the jetty. Cadell turned his head towards the boat landing. Jeremiah Nelson Homfray was running towards the hill, waving a piece of paper.

Cadell sensed that something was amiss. His face turned crimson with anger. “Salim, jaldi karo. Time hogaya hain,” he shouted. Birch understood the haste in Cadell’s voice. He rushed towards the lever of the trapdoor. “I will do it sir,” he volunteered as Salim struggled to put the noose on the last man.

“Sir, I suggest you wait for Homfray to come up,” Capt. Wimberley spoke. His voice was firm. Cadell turned towards him. He could see that Wimberley had moved forward from where he stood and placed himself between the trapdoor lever and Birch.

“The lives of five innocent men are at stake. We all know they have not done any offence that deserves capital punishment. We must see what is in the letter Homfray is bringing.”

“Capt. Wimberley! Do you know who has the authority here? It is I who give orders, and, as the Magistrate, I have the power to sentence anyone to death and carry out the execution,” Cadell shouted at the top of his voice.

“I agree sir, but, as an Englishman who believes in fair play I will not be a party to this,” Wimberley replied.

“Fair play my foot! Where was fair play when they tried to kill the sentry and escape? Where was fair play when they stole the boat? Are you not aware that recaptured convicts could be hanged? Hadn’t Maj. Walker hang eighty people on the same day for attempt to escape?

Homfray clambered up the stairs, panting and collapsed. In his hand was a sheet of government stationery, stained with his own blood. Homfray’s hands were bleeding from madly pulling on the oars from Chatham to Viper. Wimberley slowly bent and took the paper in his hand. He read out the contents slowly, in a clear voice.

The Rev. Warneford, Maulvie Allauddin and Pandit Ramanand stepped forward, their faces lit up with expectation. Salim stood transfixed.

Cadell took off his hat, threw it on the ground and stamped on it in impotent rage as he stormed out of the gallows. Birch glared at Wimberley and followed Cadell.

“Remove the hood and untie the men’s hands and feet.” Wimberley ordered. “Somebody please bring water for poor Homfray, and call Baghail Singh to take the men to the Chain Gang barrack. Give them some food and water.”

Hemraj and others couldn’t understand what was happening till the hoods were removed. Slowly the realization that their lives have been spared dawned on their faces. They fell to the ground and thanked their gods. Tears of joy flowed down their cheeks. They were defiant in the face of death, but the reprieve was too much for them to contain. Then they knelt by the side of Homfray and kissed his bleeding hands. Here was a man who risked his life to save theirs. They knew that Homfray was a sick man, suffering from tuberculosis. He was dying, slowly. The Great Andamanese, who loved him immensely had already announced that they would give him ‘platform burial’ according to their custom. Homfray was worried about his wife and four children and constantly talked about his impending death.

“Homfray sahib, sir, please open your eyes,” Hemraj pleaded.
Homfray slowly opened his eyes and acknowledged their thanks.

Hemraj, walked to Capt. Wimberley and spoke.

“Thank you sir, if not for you we would have been dead men by now. Please send somebody to Minnie Memsaab to convey the news.”

“I will Hemraj, she didn’t eat or sleep the last three days. Now you must be confined to the Chain Gang, but you know that the Jemadars will not put you to hard work. Two years will pass in no time. You’ll retain your ticket-of-leave status. Forget about running away from these islands and settle down here.”

“Aye aye sir,” Hemraj said, with a faint smile, giving a navy salute.

Baghail Singh came up and ordered the men back to the barracks. As they walked down they could see a man running towards the prison and shouting at the top of his voice that the execution had been called off.

Loud cheers broke out all over Viper.

“We can all go to Aberdeen in my boat and wait for Col. Cadell’s anger to cool, he’s not a bad man after all,” Wimberley said.

They could see Cadell’s steam barge belching smoke as it churned the sea between Viper and Chatham.

Postscript:

Hemraj’s was the story of an epic escape and survival at sea. He survived the noose also and lived to see the departure of Col. Cadell, who never forgave him. Hemraj and his associates became a part of the mosaic that formed the society of the Andaman Penal Colony. It was men like them who gave birth to the unique Local Born community that came up in the islands. Perhaps there are many descendants of Hemraj living in the islands still, unaware of their famous ancestor’s heroic deeds.

This serial is dedicated to the Local Born community and a few kindhearted British Officers who helped shape it.

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LVI (FINAL), (Continued from last week)

“Stop! Stop the hanging! By order of the Governor General!”

Terrible shouts were heard from the direction of the jetty. Cadell turned his head towards the boat landing. Jeremiah Nelson Homfray was running towards the hill, waving a piece of paper.

Cadell sensed that something was amiss. His face turned crimson with anger. “Salim, jaldi karo. Time hogaya hain,” he shouted. Birch understood the haste in Cadell’s voice. He rushed towards the lever of the trapdoor. “I will do it sir,” he volunteered as Salim struggled to put the noose on the last man.

“Sir, I suggest you wait for Homfray to come up,” Capt. Wimberley spoke. His voice was firm. Cadell turned towards him. He could see that Wimberley had moved forward from where he stood and placed himself between the trapdoor lever and Birch.

“The lives of five innocent men are at stake. We all know they have not done any offence that deserves capital punishment. We must see what is in the letter Homfray is bringing.”

“Capt. Wimberley! Do you know who has the authority here? It is I who give orders, and, as the Magistrate, I have the power to sentence anyone to death and carry out the execution,” Cadell shouted at the top of his voice.

“I agree sir, but, as an Englishman who believes in fair play I will not be a party to this,” Wimberley replied.

“Fair play my foot! Where was fair play when they tried to kill the sentry and escape? Where was fair play when they stole the boat? Are you not aware that recaptured convicts could be hanged? Hadn’t Maj. Walker hang eighty people on the same day for attempt to escape?

Homfray clambered up the stairs, panting and collapsed. In his hand was a sheet of government stationery, stained with his own blood. Homfray’s hands were bleeding from madly pulling on the oars from Chatham to Viper. Wimberley slowly bent and took the paper in his hand. He read out the contents slowly, in a clear voice.

The Rev. Warneford, Maulvie Allauddin and Pandit Ramanand stepped forward, their faces lit up with expectation. Salim stood transfixed.

Cadell took off his hat, threw it on the ground and stamped on it in impotent rage as he stormed out of the gallows. Birch glared at Wimberley and followed Cadell.

“Remove the hood and untie the men’s hands and feet.” Wimberley ordered. “Somebody please bring water for poor Homfray, and call Baghail Singh to take the men to the Chain Gang barrack. Give them some food and water.”

Hemraj and others couldn’t understand what was happening till the hoods were removed. Slowly the realization that their lives have been spared dawned on their faces. They fell to the ground and thanked their gods. Tears of joy flowed down their cheeks. They were defiant in the face of death, but the reprieve was too much for them to contain. Then they knelt by the side of Homfray and kissed his bleeding hands. Here was a man who risked his life to save theirs. They knew that Homfray was a sick man, suffering from tuberculosis. He was dying, slowly. The Great Andamanese, who loved him immensely had already announced that they would give him ‘platform burial’ according to their custom. Homfray was worried about his wife and four children and constantly talked about his impending death.

“Homfray sahib, sir, please open your eyes,” Hemraj pleaded.
Homfray slowly opened his eyes and acknowledged their thanks.

Hemraj, walked to Capt. Wimberley and spoke.

“Thank you sir, if not for you we would have been dead men by now. Please send somebody to Minnie Memsaab to convey the news.”

“I will Hemraj, she didn’t eat or sleep the last three days. Now you must be confined to the Chain Gang, but you know that the Jemadars will not put you to hard work. Two years will pass in no time. You’ll retain your ticket-of-leave status. Forget about running away from these islands and settle down here.”

“Aye aye sir,” Hemraj said, with a faint smile, giving a navy salute.

Baghail Singh came up and ordered the men back to the barracks. As they walked down they could see a man running towards the prison and shouting at the top of his voice that the execution had been called off.

Loud cheers broke out all over Viper.

“We can all go to Aberdeen in my boat and wait for Col. Cadell’s anger to cool, he’s not a bad man after all,” Wimberley said.

They could see Cadell’s steam barge belching smoke as it churned the sea between Viper and Chatham.

Postscript:

Hemraj’s was the story of an epic escape and survival at sea. He survived the noose also and lived to see the departure of Col. Cadell, who never forgave him. Hemraj and his associates became a part of the mosaic that formed the society of the Andaman Penal Colony. It was men like them who gave birth to the unique Local Born community that came up in the islands. Perhaps there are many descendants of Hemraj living in the islands still, unaware of their famous ancestor’s heroic deeds.

This serial is dedicated to the Local Born community and a few kindhearted British Officers who helped shape it.

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LIV
(Continued from last week)
A small canoe slipped silently into the protected harbor of Viper Island. It was well past dusk. Oil lamps glimmered in the barracks on the shore. The sentry on duty peered into the boat, jerked to attention and lifted the boom to allow it. A hooded figure stepped outside, followed by a child and woman in convict uniform. They walked up the incline towards the condemned cells. The boy walked with a limp. A man on guard duty challenged them. The woman whispered something to him. He came to attention immediately, saluted and walked with them. They walked past the cells holding sullen faced convicts. All were in chains. Some cursed as the party walked past. The guard told them to shut up.

There was heavy security outside the condemned cells. Oil lamps burned casting eerie shadows all over. The condemned men sat on their haunches, clothed in nothing but loincloths. Sweat glistened on their bodies in the dim light.

The guard spoke to the sentries who again stiffened and showed them to a cell locked with a huge padlock. An oil lamp burned outside its barred door. Inside the cell a lone figure sat huddled in a corner. It had some kind of a rosary in its hand and kept mumbling a prayed as it turned the beads.

“Hemraj, are you there?” the woman said, in Hindustani, peering into the shadows.

The human figure in the corner sprang up as if electrified.

“Minnie memsaab,” it cried out, and ran to the door, clutching the bars.

The woman threw back her hood, and spoke to the guard. After some deliberations a key turned in the lock. The woman, child and her servant entered the cell.

Hemraj fell at her feet, sobbing. She held him by the shoulders and lifted him up. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment. Hemraj turned his gaze towards the child. “Reggie baba,” he said repeatedly, and sobbed uncontrollably.

The servant took out a bundle from under her sari. She laid it on the floor and opened it.

“Hemraj, I know you declined your last meal. But I want you to have it from my hand. You know Wimberley saab considers you innocent. Unfortunately he has no influence with the Superintendent to save you. But we have the highest regard for you. We pray that the Almighty grants to eternal rest and we are all reunited in the Kingdom of God after the day of the last judgment.

The woman wiped her eyes. She was crying, and started sobbing loudly after speaking to Hemraj. The child also started crying, seeing his mother cry.

“Memsaab, please remember me once I’m gone. Hemraj won’t be there to ferry you and Reggie baba and Captain saab across to Ross and back for the Saturday night dances. But there’ll be someone else. You may even have a motor boat. But remember old Hemraj.

Hemraj’s voiced choked with emotion as he spoke.

Mrs. Wimberley also could not control her emotions. At last she controlled herself and spoke.

“Let me feed you with my own hands Hemraj. I brought rotis, daal and subji. Come, don’t decline.” Her voice choked again.

“Memsaab, see that my body is cremated tomorrow, and my ashes immersed in the sea near Dundas Point, so that I am reunited with my ancestors. I know what they do with the bodies of the hanged. Please save me from that fate. I don’t want anything more.

The servant spread a cloth on the stone floor of the cell. Mrs Wimberley knelt down and opened containers with food. Hemraj sat in front of her silently, and, like a small child ate from her hand.

The guard whispered something. It was time to leave. There might be a visit from Ross. Minnie rose. The servant rolled up the cloth with the containers. Minnie hugged Hemraj. Hemraj hugged and kissed Reginald Gordon Wimberley, the little lame boy. They parted silently. The guard slammed the door shut and turned the key in the lock.

As Minnie’s canoe left the harbor the lights of a power boat could be seen in the distance.

The hanging party was coming to make preparations for the execution of the recaptured convicts the next day. (To be Continued)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LIV
(Continued from last week)
A small canoe slipped silently into the protected harbor of Viper Island. It was well past dusk. Oil lamps glimmered in the barracks on the shore. The sentry on duty peered into the boat, jerked to attention and lifted the boom to allow it. A hooded figure stepped outside, followed by a child and woman in convict uniform. They walked up the incline towards the condemned cells. The boy walked with a limp. A man on guard duty challenged them. The woman whispered something to him. He came to attention immediately, saluted and walked with them. They walked past the cells holding sullen faced convicts. All were in chains. Some cursed as the party walked past. The guard told them to shut up.

There was heavy security outside the condemned cells. Oil lamps burned casting eerie shadows all over. The condemned men sat on their haunches, clothed in nothing but loincloths. Sweat glistened on their bodies in the dim light.

The guard spoke to the sentries who again stiffened and showed them to a cell locked with a huge padlock. An oil lamp burned outside its barred door. Inside the cell a lone figure sat huddled in a corner. It had some kind of a rosary in its hand and kept mumbling a prayed as it turned the beads.

“Hemraj, are you there?” the woman said, in Hindustani, peering into the shadows.

The human figure in the corner sprang up as if electrified.

“Minnie memsaab,” it cried out, and ran to the door, clutching the bars.

The woman threw back her hood, and spoke to the guard. After some deliberations a key turned in the lock. The woman, child and her servant entered the cell.

Hemraj fell at her feet, sobbing. She held him by the shoulders and lifted him up. They looked into each other’s eyes for a moment. Hemraj turned his gaze towards the child. “Reggie baba,” he said repeatedly, and sobbed uncontrollably.

The servant took out a bundle from under her sari. She laid it on the floor and opened it.

“Hemraj, I know you declined your last meal. But I want you to have it from my hand. You know Wimberley saab considers you innocent. Unfortunately he has no influence with the Superintendent to save you. But we have the highest regard for you. We pray that the Almighty grants to eternal rest and we are all reunited in the Kingdom of God after the day of the last judgment.

The woman wiped her eyes. She was crying, and started sobbing loudly after speaking to Hemraj. The child also started crying, seeing his mother cry.

“Memsaab, please remember me once I’m gone. Hemraj won’t be there to ferry you and Reggie baba and Captain saab across to Ross and back for the Saturday night dances. But there’ll be someone else. You may even have a motor boat. But remember old Hemraj.

Hemraj’s voiced choked with emotion as he spoke.

Mrs. Wimberley also could not control her emotions. At last she controlled herself and spoke.

“Let me feed you with my own hands Hemraj. I brought rotis, daal and subji. Come, don’t decline.” Her voice choked again.

“Memsaab, see that my body is cremated tomorrow, and my ashes immersed in the sea near Dundas Point, so that I am reunited with my ancestors. I know what they do with the bodies of the hanged. Please save me from that fate. I don’t want anything more.

The servant spread a cloth on the stone floor of the cell. Mrs Wimberley knelt down and opened containers with food. Hemraj sat in front of her silently, and, like a small child ate from her hand.

The guard whispered something. It was time to leave. There might be a visit from Ross. Minnie rose. The servant rolled up the cloth with the containers. Minnie hugged Hemraj. Hemraj hugged and kissed Reginald Gordon Wimberley, the little lame boy. They parted silently. The guard slammed the door shut and turned the key in the lock.

As Minnie’s canoe left the harbor the lights of a power boat could be seen in the distance.

The hanging party was coming to make preparations for the execution of the recaptured convicts the next day. (To be Continued)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LIII, (Continued from last week)
“Well sir, I was still a kid and living close to London when my granddad took me to witness one…” Homfray started.

Col. Cadell lit his cigar and sucked deeply, letting out a cloud of smoke. He had before him a box of hand rolled cigars, made specially for him by a Pondicherry tobacconist.

“We started early in the morning, with a packed lunch of sandwiches and walked for some two hours to reach Newgate Prison. There was a big crowd there already. The news of the executions was known to the people. It was a Monday.

“Some touts came over and offered us seats from where we could have a grandstand view of the hangings. The prices were exorbitant. We just pushed into the crowd and got as close as we could to the gallows.

“Granddad told me that the hangings were held at a place called Tyburn earlier where it was easier to witness the spectacle. He also told me that the bodies of the hanged were dissected publicly. He had personally witnessed many hangings and dissections before they were discontinued because of the public outcry against the gory nature of the spectacle.

“He told me that it was common those days to hang Catholics or people convicted of crimes like forgery or treason. The gallows was known as the Tyburn Tree and it was common to see a dozen bodies hanging from it any time. However, there was a great demand for the bodies from ‘anatomists’ who wanted to dissect the bodies for the benefit of prospective physicians.
“On that day a group of three people convicted of stealing food from a store were to be hanged. I clung to granddad’s hand as the crowd pushed around us with expectation. There was a huge platform on which the gallows was erected. A barricade prevented people form getting closer. Soldiers with drawn swords pushed the crowd backwards. But the people were excited and shouting and pushing to get a closer view. There were many women, dressed in their best dresses, in carriages who had come to witness the grand spectacle. People jostled each other to get a better view. An officer on a horse tried to control the mob.

“During the long wait granddad told me that things were better a Tyburn where the villagers erected temporary viewing galleries for visitors and sold seats for a fee. Once the gallery collapsed killing and injuring a lot people but still there were many spectators for a hanging. A hanging drew more crowds than a cricket match, said granddad.

“The condemned were brought in a horse drawn wagon. They were encouraged to wear their best dresses and cheered all along the way. They were even allowed to stop at a pub and have one last drink. After the nooses were placed round their necks the wagon was driven away, leaving them hanging and writhing till they died. After that the bodies were cut open. Sometimes the crowd rushed to grab scraps of clothing or hair or other body parts of the hanged which, they believed, had healing properties. The skin of some victims was peeled off to make talismans.

“I really can’t believe this Homfray! Are you making this up, or is it true? I can’t believe a civilized nation like ours, which brought the light of civilization to the rest of the world could do like this. I was in London, but never witnessed anything like this,” Cadell said.

“Sir, as God is my witness I’m telling the truth. I can never forget the incident. It made an indelible impression on my young mind. I can see it in my mind’s eye, vividly, even today.

“As we watched a side door opened and three people were paraded in. One was a woman. Her dress was bound at the legs for the sake of decency. The priest came and read out the service for the dead from the Book of Common Prayer. The hangman came and placed a white hood over the head of each victim.

“Granddad told me there was a famous hangman called Foxen in his days who was an expert at hanging condemned people. He would hang on to the legs of the hanged people to hasten their death. The bodies were left hanging for several days, presenting a gory spectacle to the people entering London. It was believed it prevented burgeoning crime in the city those days.

“Anyway, after the priest administered the last sacrament the hangman took over. He pulled on the lever and the three dropped down the trap door. They didn’t die immediately as the drop was too short, just 12 to 18 inches. They writhed for a long time. The crowds cheered, and slowly dispersed. I was told that the bodies were buried in unmarked graves in the jail itself.

“Well, we’re more civilized here Homfray! I’ll make one concession here. I’ll allow Hemraj’s body to be cremated. Others will be buried in unmarked graves in the cemetery on the hill overlooking Phoenix Bay. You may go now. We’ll meet tomorrow, at the hanging.

Cadell lit one more cigar and called the bearer to bring his drink.

“Aye aye sir” Homfray said, as he moved back and closed the door. (To be continued …)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

N. Francis Xavier
Part LII, (Continued from last week)

Lt. Col. Cadell looked at a roster on his table.
It was about the Pathans in the Andaman police force at that time.
Cadell read the document, underlining names with a pencil.
Cons. Mahomed Husain Didn’t return from leave
Cons. Manolla Died
Cons. Akbur Khan Dismissed
Cons. Akhtur Khan Dismissed
Cons. Hussun Khan Resigned
Cons. Said Rahim Khan Resigned
Cons. Ball Khan Resigned
Cons. Hazrut Shah Khan Dismissed (for gambling)
Cons. Umar Khan Convicted (for causing hurt
and gambling)
Cons. Gholam Haider Resigned
Cons. Zameer Khan Resigned
Cons. Samundar Khan Resigned
Lance. Jamrud Khan Committed suicide
Lance. Sahib Khan Dismissed (for overstaying leave)
Lance. Khwas Khan Resigned
Lance. Hakim Khan Resigned
Lance. Sabit Shah Transferred to P. Police
Lance. Musa Khan Convicted of Murder

There was a note from Capt. Deane, the District Superintendent of Police saying that service in the Andamans was not suitable for these frontiersmen.

There was also a report on the murder of Khairu Khan.

Chief Constable Khairu Khan and several other men were sitting under a tree and chatting in the Aberdeen police lines when a shot was fired from under a barracks, approximately from a distance of 13 paces. The shot wounded Khairu in the knee and shattered the leg of Constable Shadi who was sitting next to him. Khairu ran towards his room and on the way received another shot in the chest from which died in two hours. A third shot was fired into the room of another Chief Constable, but did no harm.

As soon as the alarm was sounded police searched all the houses in Aberdeen village. The stillness of that night was pierced by the shrill police whistles and the knockings on the doors with lathis. Armed police searched every house.

It was soon discovered that Lance Sergeant Musa Khan, who was on guard duty at the thanna was missing from his post. Four packets of cartridges have also been taken from the pouches of men employed in the thanna.

The search was extended beyond Aberdeen, and soon Musa Khan gave himself up to the Chowkidar of Niagaon.

Shadi, the injured constable died the following morning from the effects of the wound.

After his arrest Musa Khan gave a statement that it was his intention to kill all the native officers in the police force for they bullied the men. He also stated that he had a special grudge against Khairu Khan because he abused him for being absent from parade on the day of the previous Ramzan.

The report from Inspector Thakur Singh, Inspector of Police, Mount Harriet stated that Khairu Khan never made any complaint against Musa, but Musa was of a morose disposition and was in the habit of wandering about by himself.

Cadell had himself interrogated Musa Khan and sentenced him to death. He had also personally attended the funerals of both Khairu Khan and Shadi at the Muslim cemetery where they were interred with full police honours. The frequent murders in the police force disturbed him a lot. It was time to find a solution to the problem. Repatriation of all the Pathans seemed to be one solution.

There was a gentle knock on the door as he contemplated a letter to the government.

Homfray entered.

“How do you do Jeremy?” Cadell asked amicably

“How do you do sir? Hope I’m not disturbing your work.” Homfray said as he came closer.

The death certificate of Hemraj was lying on the top of the pile of letters on the table. A look of horror contorted Homfray’s face.

“Sir, Hemraj has not been hanged yet, has he?”

“Well, Jeremy, he’s as good as hanged isn’t he? I asked Capt. Birch to prepare the death certificates in advance, so that they could be dispatched to the Home Secretary in the mail steamer arriving tomorrow.

We’ll hang them at 6 in the morning and the ship will sail in the evening itself. Have you told Mr Portman to make arrangements for coal and water so that the ship is ready to sail without delay?”

“Aye aye sir, everything is taken care of sir. One small doubt, what’re we to do with the bodies? There’s a demand from the public that they would like to take them in procession and cremate them in Junglighat, in the Hindoo tradition.

“Oh! Let them go to hell man. Take the bodies beyond North Point, tie some stones to them and throw them in the sea – the usual stuff you know.

“Aye aye sir. Will arrange that. As you say sir. But sir,” Homfray hesitated.

“Well, what? You have other ideas?” Cadell asked curtly.

“No sir, none whatsoever. But have you ever witnessed a hanging in London sir?

“No. Why?”

“Well, I saw one sir. Shall I tell you how it was sir?

“Was it any different from what we do here? Anyway tell me.” Cadell put aside the pen and paper and leaned back in the chair. (To be continued ….)

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

Francis Xavier

Part LI, (Continued from last week)

Capt. Birch sat at his table and took out four blank sheets of paper. He chose a pen from the pen stand, dipped it in ink and started writing slowly. On the top of the first sheet he wrote in block capitals “CERTIFICATE,” and carefully underlined it. Below that he wrote:

“I hereby certify that the sentence of death passed on Hemraj has been duly executed, and the said Hemraj was accordingly hanged by the neck till he was dead, at Viper gallows on the ……. Day of …..  at 6.00 a.m., that the body remained suspended for a full hour, and was not taken down until life was ascertained by a medical officer to be extinct; and that no accident, error or other misadventure occurred.

At the bottom he drew a dotted a line and below it wrote in bold letters “Superintendent.”

He took out another blank sheet and again wrote ‘CERTIFICATE’ on the top. He was about to underline it when a shot rang out.

A loud commotion broke out in the barracks behind the house. Birch opened the drawer and took out his revolver. He checked it to see it was loaded and put it in the holster. As he rose from the table another shot rang out. There was more commotion. Looking out Birch could see it was coming from the Aberdeen Police Barracks. Police men were running about.

A third shot rang out as Birch entered the street. He unconsciously ducked as a bullet whizzed past his head.

Revolver in hand Birch ran towards the barracks. Shouts of “maar diya, khoon kar diya,” could be heard.

When he reached the barracks Birch saw the men carrying a bleeding Khairu Khan, the Chief Constable of the Aberdeen Police Station, on a litter. He was a giant pathan. Always attired in immaculate uniform and turban, sporting big handlebar moustaches and sideburns he was the pride of the Port Blair police force.

As the men carried him away Birch saw that his knee was shattered and a big, red patch was spreading on his shirt front. He was still in his uniform. Khairu Khan turned his head towards Birch and tried to say something but no words came out of his mouth. Two large tear drops rolled down his cheeks. The shadow of death was already on his face.

Birch ordered the men to take him quickly to the hospital and asked who fired the shot. Another man emerged from the barracks, supported by two constables. Blood poured from his left leg. It was Constable Shadi. The men told Birch that the same shot that shattered Khairu’s knee had hit Shadi also. The third shot was fired into the room of another Chief Constable but did no harm.

Birch ordered a muster of all the policemen on duty at the Thannah guard.  As he was leaving to convey the news to Cadell a sepoy approached and informed that Khairu Khan had passed away.

“These Pathans in the police force have been a constant source of trouble,” thought Birch. Only a couple of days earlier he had a meeting with Col. Cadell and suggested they be repatriated to the frontier areas. There were only eleven of them. Six of them belonged to regiments from where they were transferred to the police, counting their past service. They felt out of place in Andamans. They liked expeditions and emergencies but hated the monotonous guard duty. It is possible that the man who fired the shots was a pathan and still in possession of the weapon with which he shot Khairu.

Birch had lot of work on his hands that day. He felt saddened by the death of Khairu. He sent for Baghail Singh and ordered him to find the killer soon. ( To be continued ….)

 

Viper Prison Break

by Leave a Comment

Francis Xavier

Part L, (Continued from last week)

Huge crowds gathered at Aberdeen jetty.  The huge steamer gave a long blast on its hooter as it crossed Ross Island. The Pilot boat and two more steam barges raced to its side; rope ladders were lowered; armed men clambered up on to the deck. Their duty was to see that Hemraj was properly secured and brought down, to be handed over to Col. Cadell.

Cadell himself reached Aberdeen. Special boats have been pressed into service to bring people from Ross who wanted to witness the historic moment.

Wimberley and Tuson were present at the jetty in immaculately starched uniforms and pith helmets. All carried side arms. MV Portman and Nelson Jeremiah Homfray waited in a boat alongside the jetty with a posse of Andamanese archers.

With a heavy clatter of the anchor chain the ship came to rest in the channel between North Bay and Aberdeen. A hatch in the side of the ship opened; a steam barge came alongside; ropes were thrown; the gang plank was put in place; Maj. Birch stepped out from the ship and boarded the vessel; five men in heavy chains were marched and locked up inside the wheel house of the barge. Heavily armed men stood around the wheel house and on the deck. The barge pulled away from the steamer and headed towards Aberdeen jetty.

The crowd on the jetty craned their necks to catch glimpse of the passengers of the barge. Belching black smoke the barge touched the landing. Ropes fastened it to the jetty. Inspector Baghail Singh ordered the police to clear the entire area of civilians. Burly Pathan and Sikh military police pushed the curious onlookers from the jetty.

A table was brought and placed at one end of the jetty. Three chairs were placed. Rumour went out that Cadell was going to hold court then and there, and sentence Hemraj and others for attempt to murder. They were to be taken away immediately to Viper where all arrangements for hanging have already been made.

As soon as the barge tied up Maj. Birch, in starched uniform stepped up and saluted Cadell.

“Sir, I bring the fugitives who escaped after a murderous assault on a sentry at Viper Island on 9th of July 1880,” he announced pompously.

“Let them be presented before the court,” Cadell said as he took his place behind the table.

“Bring the prisoners,” Birch shouted as he took the chair to the right of Cadell. Wimberley sat on the other side.

Five men, clad only in Dhotis were marched under heavy escort and made to stand in a line before the kangaroo court.

The moment Hemraj stepped on the jetty loud cries went up from the onlookers. Hemraj glanced briefly towards them and lowered his eyes. Sheobux Mina was the last. He was not chained. Some people jeered and abused him as a traitor.  The whole town knew that it was he who betrayed Hemraj.

The four men were made to stand in front of the jury. All four stared at Cadell with defiant looks. They knew what was in store for them. They had enough time during the voyage to prepare themselves for it.

A uniformed orderly placed before Cadell a file, a pen and an inkpot.

Cadell called out the names of the prisoners and pronounced the death sentence  “ … you are hereby sentenced to suffer death by hanging for the attempted murder of Sepoy Govindarajooloo of 23rd Madras Native Infantry on 9th July 1880. Therefore you shall hang by the neck until you are dead.”

He did not mention the “Have you anything to say” that usually accompanied the death sentence.

“We have applied for clemency while being held in Calcutta. What about it?” Hemraj spoke loudly. He wanted the onlookers also hear it.

“Shut up, you blackguard!” Cadell roared, shaking with rage. “I have the powers to hang anyone without waiting for any orders from above. Take them away. They shall hang at first light tomorrow.” He dipped the pen in the inkpot and signed the file. The orderly used a blotter to dry the ink and closed it.

 

Baghail Singh led the men back into the boat. Portman and Homfray also got into it. The boat cast off and headed for Viper. The dugout of the aborigines pulled away to follow the boat at a distance.

“Tell my cutter to standby at 5 in the morning to take me to Viper,” Cadell ordered and got up. The men saluted as he walked away. The crowd on Aberdeen jetty slowly dispersed, in utter silence.

“Tomorrow, by this time, Hemraj will just be a corpse on the dissecting table at Haddo hospital,” a voice said. “I hope we are allowed to take the body for cremation,” another muttered. “We must offer prayers for them in the temple, mosque, church and the gurudwara,” said Maulvi Allauddin as he left the place. (To be continued…)

 

 

Armistice Day

by 2 Comments

Francis Xavier

Guns fell silent on the Western Front at 11 o’clock on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, marking the end to the First World War, one of the bloodiest in the history of mankind.  An Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany to stop all hostilities on the Western Front, coining the term “All quiet on the Western Front”.  However, hostilities continued on other fronts for another two years.

In terms of human casualties the First World War remains the greatest ever, reaping a grim harvest of roughly eight million lives.  During a battle at Somme on 1st July 1916 Britain suffered 58,000 dead and injured, making it a record for battlefield casualties on a single day. The real figures remain unknown as maintaining systematic records was not possible due to the magnitude of the war and the poor communications at that time.

November 11, 2016 will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the Great War — “The War to End All Wars”, as it was then called.

At least 15 lakh Indian soldiers fought in the First World War.  The number of those who died varies from 43,000 to 65,000.  Most of the dead lie buried where they fell, mainly in the trenches on the various fronts where they fought.  The touching letters from Indian soldiers on the front reveal the hardships they faced, with very little hope of returning from the war alive.

The short story UsneKahaTha by Chandradhar Sharma Guleri is based on the lives of Indian soldiers on the Belgian front.  It tells the story of Lehna Singh who sacrifices his life trying to save the lives of his Subedar and his son, to keep the word he gave to the Subedar’s wife who was his childhood sweetheart.

Twelve Victoria Crosses were awarded to Indian soldiers during the war. SepoyKhudadad Khan was the first Indian to be awarded the VC for conspicuous bravery.

After the end of the war Armistice Day continued to be observed as a national holiday in many of Allied nations to allow people to commemorate those members of the armed forces who were killed during war. Memorials were built to commemorate the Victory and also to remember those who sacrificed their lives. Two minute silence was observed at 11.00 a.m. as a mark of respect to the “Glorious Dead” followed by ceremonies.  It was scrupulously observed in the colonies, which contributed a significant chunk of the fighting forces.  Life came to a stand still at 11.00 a.m. on 11th November every year, when the gun fired.  Ships stopped their engines, machines stopped in the places of work, vehicles stopped in their tracks, people stopped at work or on the road.

Armistice Day is being observed as Remembrance Day or Veterans Day in many Commonwealth countries today.  People wear a red poppy on the lapel of their coats in memory of those who laid down their lives in the war.  Special services and parades are held in some countries.

A special order used to be issued for the observance of Armistice Day in Port Blair. People gathered in an orderly manner around the War Memorial (GhantaGhar for us today) in the heart of the city.  The military personnel turned out in their uniforms.  When the gun boomed on RossIsland all fell silent; the troops came to attention; the bugler sounded the Last Post; the parade commander saluted. When Reveille was sounded after two minutes wreaths were laid on the memorial and a service read out.  The Scottish bagpipers played a haunting ‘lament’ on their pipes.  A few in the crowd shed tears remembering the ‘Glorious Dead’, whose names are inscribed on the memorial.

Five names are inscribed on the plaque — Captain E.B. Fawcett, Formerly Assistant Commandant, Military Police, SubadarMuzammal Khan, NaikMangat Chand, No 2312, Lance Naik Ali Sher, No. 2795, SepoyFeroze No. 2809.  They all went out from these islands and died in some faraway lands between 1914 and 1920.

Similar war memorials can be seen in many cities of India which sent their men to the warfront, in memory of those who did not return.  They all have a large clock in them, most of them still in excellent working condition. The biggest memorial is the India Gate in Delhi on which the names of all the Indian soldiers who fell in action during the First World War are engraved.

Thousands of people pass around the Clock Tower in Port Blair everyday, but not many are aware of its history nor do they care to read the names written on it.

 

***