Nurungukal...contd..........

                                In the previous post I had written about an incident related to the involvement of my uncles in India’s freedom struggle. Let me continue. The sub inspector said that the British officers did not know Malayalm and so they were insisting to search the house . At that moment my Grand mother { Ammama} told my mother { Ammukutty } to speak in English. Ammukuty was just eighteen years old at that time and she was studying in A.V. High School in eighth standard .standard............cntd....

Ammama......." Ammukuttiye you tell them in English " { nee angattu englishil paranhu kotukk Ammukuttye } “

Ammukutty......with much hesitation..........” they have gone to one of our relative’s house . If you want we can call ""

                             

Officer...............” yes please. “

Two cousins of mother Achu and Nanu were immediately sent to Kizhekethil house . Fortunately that morning the brothers had told them where they went. usually it was not their practise.

                                The sub inspector told that the officers and their men were thirsty and they wanted something to drink. My mother was for a moment perplexed , then her presence of mind  wokeup and uttered   “ Tender coco nuts “ and she said that somebody had to pluck them. Immediately  one of the men were asked to climb and he cut down one or two bunches and it was enough to satisfy the thirst of everybody. As they were enjoying the drink the brothers appeared at the gate. Immediately two men with their rifles charged and escorted the brothers to the officers. In the meanwhile a huge crowd had gathered eager to watch the proceedings. Simultaneously Shri Kelappan was also brought.

                                The brothers asked the officers why such a  drama was enacted. They would have reported at the police station bravely  on a call in a slip of paper. And why they have scared the women and children in the house. Then the officer asked my mother were they frightened  and the answer came spontaneously “ no no...” After a few minutes of discussion the brothers came and told the family that they are going to the police station and will be back soon. Much later the family came to know that the trio {Balakrishna Menon. Raman Menon and Kelappan were charged with criminal conspiracy to instigate the revolting men of Malabar Kalapam to set on fire a house on the previous day.

                                On the previous day the revolting men came to Ponani and they were persuaded to  leave in peace by the trio. The revolting men were accompanied to the banks of Bharatha Puzha  and persuaded them to cross the river without causing any damage. But some miscreants set fire to a small hut and that incident  was mis interpreted as an act of sabotage.

                                They were taken to Cannanore jail. Balakrishna Menon fell ill and he lost his young life in the jail for freeing the nation from the clutches of British rule. Others returned a few days later to continue the struggle. Such glorious acts of resistance might have happened in many villages of India which the present generation are not aware. My salute to those martyres and to their brave families . VANDEMATHARAM !!