A throaty voice booms like a rumble of thunder. Haripada is flabbergasted. But instantly he realizes that it is not a routine stop. His apprehension comes true when he sees a hefty man in military attire standing at the bus door. The driver first follows the command like a docile cat without a mew. Then the passengers start getting off the bus, jumping the queue. By then about fifteen military men surround the bus. All have bowler hats and bristling moustaches. One of them approaches Haripada and pokes him in the ribs with the muzzle of his rifle: 'You bloody bugger, why don't you come down? Do you need kicks on the ass?'