I
saw group of police circled around a flameless fire warming themselves at the
junction of wayfarers way and motor way located near the right side of
Tashichodzong( Seat of central government of Bhutan). They were fully engrossed in their local talks and paying no attention to the Dzong visitors. I was returning from Tashichodzong
with my brother after having done with the processing of national identity
card.
As
our purpose was almost accomplished, we returned home in a relaxed way.
Enjoying the serene and silence atmosphere of Tashichodzong area, we just
plodded through the main road leading towards Chubachu side.
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Basking
in the winter sun and listening to the warbling of birds from the willow trees
stretched along the side of the road has made our journey an enjoyable one.
Out
of a sudden, I heard someone from the back shouting at us. I felt it was an
illusory sound and paid no damn to it. Few seconds later, the same sound was
heard again. But this time, it sounds bit louder. I just turned my neck to see
who is bothering at us. A young police man was running towards us with his hand
signaling for us to wait. He appeared near us in few second’s time.
“Who
had authorized you people to follow this road? Look there said the police
pointing his right forefinger towards the window which was fixed at the right
lateral side of Tashichodzong. Do you know who stays there? That room is the
office of our beloved king. But today we are bit fortunate as our king was not
there. And this road is meant only for our king and international VIPS said the
Police grotesquely.
“Sir
we are very sorry for the mistake. It is our first visit to Thimphu and we were
totally innocent to all these norms and protocols”. Please forgive us” I begged
the police with my two hands folded together.
“Ha
ha don’t make me to chuckle. I may forgive you but who will forgive me. I have
to bear serious consequences because of you bloody people. And when I say, I
have to bear consequences; the consequences doesn’t come in a package, so that
I can take it home and consume it later. I mean higher authority will brutally
torture me. And will you take that share of mine” shouted the police
incessantly.
“Sir
we will walk back towards Dzong and follow the pedestrian’s path. You are the
only one who can rescue us from this thick soup and you must rescue us at any
cost. We will never forget your generous help” I request once again.
“As
I said earlier, yes I can rescue you, but who will rescue me” shouted the
annoyed police with a wry smile on his face. Okay let me give you two options
he added further. The first option is I can make call to the police station and
report the matter. And the other option is you can pay me Nu.300 each as
fine”.
My
brother unzipped his money pocket and paid Nu.600 extravagantly. There was no
money receipt then. We ran quickly through
the adorned road as per the police’s instruction and finally we came across a
beautiful gate. Near the gate there was large signboard and it reads as “Only
flag cars and VIPS”. It was in the winter of 2003. Our uncle has dropped us off
at the other entrance of Tashichodzong from Hejo side that morning.
More wiser encounter i must say once upon a time...----Hope that incidences didn't keep you awake for longer day i guess...anyway nice reflection la...thanks
ReplyDeleteOur law enforcers are proving as robberies to innocent people. I have very limited respect for them.
DeleteI know we common people won't be allowed to enter from that gate. But looking at the way you two were being fined, I can sense some ambiguities. You could have questioned them in the way they fine you. Asking for authentic receipt could have solved half of the problem. And other half is always in the way our police personnel fine us.
ReplyDeleteSherub how can you expect a simple village boy to ask for the receipt from the mighty police. Those things are completely new in my life that time. Any way thanks for your comments and being regular visitor of my blog.
Deletenice reading your post boss. I am sure you post will educate innocent people like us who is first time in Thimphu.sure, it will serve purposes for them.
ReplyDeleteWith me is brother Tshering Lhendup lo, later I paid Nu. 300 to him.
DeleteThis is unfortunate to hear but it must have given you some lessons. Don't let your mind poisoned by the man who took some lean amount for breaking the rules. Its OK. But could have asked for the receipt.
ReplyDeleteDamcho I am just thinking that he should have stopped us from entering road as it was his duty. But I saw them completely engrossed in their talk. Thank you always visiting my blog and keep visiting whenever your time permits.
DeleteInnocent people are obviously cheated in this way, some times it is better to pretend being innocent. But how can that police man charge you for your simple mistake? Over and above, how the money you paid can solve what ever it may be. They must be feel guilty for the upside-down deeds. Besides, it would have been much better if you had asked for the receipt. You post teaches us a lesson to be more mindful in every situation. Hope all is well with sound in health. Do great. Regards from me. Take care. :)
ReplyDeleteUgyen sir, I believe the primary duty of law enforcers were to help and render support for the innocent like us. But they are trying to prove as a tiger.
DeleteUgyen sir thanks for always visiting my blog.
DeleteThat was not a very nice policeman! If a policeman tried to take money for a favor like that in the United States, it would not be tolerated, and he would be in a lot of trouble! (I highly doubt the money that was given was passed on to the government. It ended up in that man's pocket.)
ReplyDeleteMam as you said the amount had been eaten by that hungry police. Thanks for your visit.
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