71. Arrangements in jail

CHAPTER 71

Arrangements in jail

In the jail, the hang man corrected the hanging loop.

Doctors checked Afzal, who was terrified at the thought of being hanged to death. He asked the doctor, “What is the time?”

A police officer said, “3 am.”

Angrily, Afzal asked, “The hanging will be at 5:30am, isn’t it? Why are you getting me ready so soon? Leave me alone for one hour.”

Coolly, Inspector said, “We must have everything ready.”

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PM’s decision

Public was sending SMS.

On TV, Announcement. “According to Public views, 80% say that it does not matter if Afzal is released but our judge should be saved. Some have even sent in quotations. According to the constitution of the democratic nations, it does not matter if the accused who is to be hanged escapes but an innocent man should not rot in jail even for one day. An innocent man should never be punished.”

HM, ministers, police officers were all watching TV.

Central HM said, “By god’s grace even the PM has also taken a decision similar to that of public opinion. We must save the life of our judge from those terrorists.”

Looking at IG, HM said, “Mr. IG, please do the necessary arrangements for this.” 

IG said, “Sir, we are sending our assistant commando brigadier Ramdev as in charge of the operation.”

Nodding his head, Patil said, “Very good.”

Ramdev saluted

HM said, “Wish you all the best. Give information to the terrorist. I wonder what they will say.”

IG called Bilal. Helplessly, IG said on phone, “We have agreed to your conditions. We will send Afzal to the point you specify. But you must hand over our judge as you promised.”

Bilal said seriously, “Our conditions are not over. Send one big helicopter. You must send us to Pakistan with the judge in the same helicopter. We will hand over the judge to your Indian high commissioner in Pakistan.”

At the meeting hall, arrangements hade been made so that the conversation could be heard by all.

With tension, Central HM said, “We are helpless. If we want the judge alive we have to agree to his conditions. Let him free the judge in Pakistan.”

Disturbed, helplessly, IG said on phone, “We have agreed to your conditions. We will arrange to send Afzal in a big helicopter. Tell us your spot. Where should we send him?” 

Bilal said seriously on phone, “After Afzal has climbed into the helicopter, we will give directions through cell. Everything should be telecast live. I will be watching TV here.”

IG looked at HM for his opinion. HM nodded.

IG said to Bilal on phone, “Ok.”