Vigyani-Part 13

Episode 13:

The sudden developments had shattered Raman and he was sitting with his hands on his cheeks. Raman's father used to tell him,'Kappale kavinthalum kannathile kai vaikathe' ( don't keep your cheeks on your hands even if your ship is capsized). But, now Raman is dazed as how the water got acid contamination.

The village chief and the people were solidly behind Raman in supporting him as they were sure that it is some miscreants who have done the damage. Menawhile, the Government had sealed the operation of the machine and posted two police constables for protection. There was a rumour that Government might issue an arrest warrent to take Raman into judicial custody.

As Raman was sitting dazed, the wife of the man who had been hospitalized after drinking the water from the machine, came and let her feelings known to him. She was crying and said,' What harm did we do to you? Who asked you to come to the village and give water? Do you think the amman of the village will let you go unpunished?'. The village chief took her aside and try to convince her that Raman is innocent. But, she turned on him angrily and asked, 'Will you give back my husband if something happens to him?'.

In Chennai, the opposition parties held a meeting to discuss the situation and their course of action. Their main interest was to find out how much political mileage they can get. They came to the following conclusions after hour long discussions. Firstly, if Raman was to be arrested, they should call for a state-wide bandh to protest. (They hoped that there would be police excesses at the behest of the Government during the bandh). Secondly, they would demand the dismissal of the government to the state governer citing the wrong handling of the situation. Thirdly, they would demand a probe by CBI into the whole episode.

At the same time, the cabinet meeting held at St. George Fort decided to go ahead with the arrest of Raman but put the blame on pressure from the Central Government. They also decided to join the bandh and the call for CBI investigation mainly to thwart the efforts by opposition to get popularity among people.

The news of Raman's imminent arrest was telecast as breaking news and reached the village where the people held a 'rasta roko' to prevent the police party entering the village to arrest Raman. But, the police upon arrival fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd and among the wails of women denouncing the act, Raman was arrested and taken to Chennai.

To be continued....