The Senapatis
7.8The Beginning is the journey that details the sacrifice of a family, the rage of odds that a refugee family confronts in a foreign land and a list of victories...
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The Senapatis | E1
It was the March of 1971. When the Pakistan army ordered Operation Searchlight to identify the intellectuals of the land and cremate them mercilessly with torture and gore, Deben Sau decided to flee his country. The night of escape was brutal as they almost got caught and they fought their way out. They hid in boats which helped them cross the river and arrive at the Ghats of Kolkata. The Sau’s knew no one here and no one wanted to know them here. All they had was the address of “pimp at Sonagachi (Kolkata's largest brothel) who was well connected to the key people of police and administration. Chirodeep Das, aka Nantu was a man on a mission. He was a fast thinker and a great fixer who could strike deals out of nothing. He always believed in taking advantage of the situations that time and God offered. So when the war broke out, he knew there will be exodus and the refugees will come in thousands. There will be a dearth of food and lodging. What better way to lure them at the brothels in exchange of food, shelter, little money and protection. He was in pact with Mukti Choolai, the notorious brothel keeper at Sonagachi and together, they offered home to the runaway Biranganas (the raped women of Bangladesh by the Pakistan army) in exchange of them turning to whores. Sankar Majhi was the local Sub Inspector at Sovabazar police station who was given the duty to identify the Bangladeshis who had cut a deal with Nantu and Mukti to ensure the trafficking of the potential ones with the right biometrics and size from the barracks. He was given free access to any women he liked and Nantu and Mukti made most of this war that was being fought in the neighboring country. Deben Sau arrived at Kolkata, he was ashamed of being a resident of a red light area, infested with pimps and whores, clients and drunks. He was ashamed to have given this life to his wife, the woman he loved more than his life and soon, he was given a tour of the locality. He knew he has to first turn his identity from a Bangladeshi refugee to a “local Indian Bengali”. So first Deben Sau became Deben Senapati (name borrowed from the local match box brand, “Senapati Deshlai”); then came the residence address; from Paltan, Dhaka he took the address of Tarapith of Birbhum district (that he took from the travel desk of a nearby travel agent). By September of 1971, Deben Sau had become Deben Senapati. Later that month, with his brothel he committed his first crime to mark his presence and became the representative of all the refugees living as prostitutes of Sonagachi.
The Senapatis | E2
THE LEADER- The years saw the rise of Deben Senapati as an independent elect at Sovabazar and with the help of Nantuʼs connect and Barinʼs strength, Deben was gradually becoming a force to reckon with. Churni has just given birth to their son Rupen. After a longtime, there was celebration at Senapati residence. Sankar Majhi often tried to make it difficult for Deben to operate and he often fantasised an affair with Debenʼs wife Churni. Deben could read his mind and like a wolf he chose to wait for the right opportunity to stalk on his prey. But his prey was more important to him currently because through Sankar he wanted to get inducted into the Police administration at Lal Bazar. So he kept his prey live but he ensured that Churni was to become powerful and popular among his tribe. On the other hand Barin started exploring the underworld business with the help of Nantu. In the meantime Sudesh Singh's younger brother Bachua calls for a business meeting with Deben Senapati, but the meeting ends with Deben Senapati killing Bachua.
The Senapatis | E3
Bidrohi: During the March, April, May and June of 1971, killings were the order of the day. At that time there were about 200 killings a month. The police committed 130 murders. All naxalites used to be killed. Dilip Khasi was a Naxal often visiting Jessore at Sonagachhi.Jessore was also a Birangana who was repeatedly raped by the Pakistan army. At LalBazar, JCP GR Neogi has been hearing news about a new force at Sobhabazar red light area. What interested him was the fact that there were no complaints or cases lodged against the man named Deben Senapati and his gang. What even surprised Neogi was the Senapati gang was just four people. Deben, Barin, Churni and Nantu. How does a gang function with this strength, he wondered. It has been two years since the Saus of Paltan became the Senapatis of Tarapith.The years saw the rise of Deben Senapati as an independent leader at Sovabazar and with the help of Nantu's connect and Barin's strength, Deben was gradually becoming a force to reckon with. Slowly & firmly time had given birth to perhaps the darkest power in the history of West Bengal's underworld.
The Senapatis | E4
Doshomi- After Deben Senapati murdered the younger brother of Sudesh Singh, he then in return threatens Deben Senapati that he will murder his brother Barin. But at the correct time with the correct planning Deben and Barin Senapati successfully murders Sudesh Singh off the records. On the other hand Dilip was one of the key coordinators for the Naxal operations in Bengal. He was incharge of recruiting possible members. He was a polite man who could never be considered as a Naxal in charge of the carnage the movement created. Dilip now found “friend in Deben. Deben told him he supported the revolution that they were fighting. Dilip was slightly rattled as he was not aware that his identity was blown. Deben gave him enough confidence to stay calm and normal. Deben, barin and Nantu together made the plan for the loot and executes it properly during the pujas with the help of Mukti Mashi and her girls. But on Dashami, it was the last loot when Deben phoned the cops and informed them of a loot in progress. After the cops arrives and then Barin shoots Sankar Majhi.