Here is a new series for the visitors of OurKarnataka.Com (OKC). Here is a person from Mysore, who was unfortunate enough to get into the activities of the underworld, suffer from it and still fortunate enough to come out of it. As per his request, we have re-christened him to keep him out of trouble! Just to let you know, he has now gotten his bachelor and masters degree from the Open University. He is also getting trained as a web developer. He is determined to make something for himself. Our aim here is not to glorify his past deeds, but to tell you from his perspective. This is not fiction or a movie; this is the bare truth. Something for you to ponder about.

Part 1

Generally, a meeting place of friends is known as 'Addaa' (or 'Katte'). As usual, I was sitting in the Addaa enjoying a smoke. My friend came with a stranger and the stranger introduced himself. He asked me to narrate a few things from my past and the things which I had done for the under world. He told me that he would be publishing it. Perhaps he might already have known many things about me. But I refused, as I did not want to have anything to do with my past. I wanted to bury it inside my heart and start a new life.

To begin with, I was a bit guilty and also afraid even to think about the past. Then, I wondered how could I have thought something like that. Perhaps there is a sound reason for it after all. That may be due to 'despair'. But after a few moments, I agreed to share my experiences with the readers to see that the youths of present and the future learn a lesson. Lesson on how difficult it is to come out of such bad environment. I want the readers, particularly the young (and "Hot blooded") to learn a lesson or two. If they learn something, it will be a great satisfaction for me and I shall thank the stranger (now my friend) for giving me an opportunity to narrate my story.

During my Pre-University days in 1988, a small incident took place.

Koli Ranga in College:

Here the name Koli Ranga refers to none other than Manja, which is yours truly; me (Name changed!). When I was in college, I was a very soft-spoken person. I was easily mingling with everybody, making friends, having fun and naturally popular in the institution. One day, the student union election was to be conducted. I contested for the post of the Vice President. A notorious boy by name Shashi was to contest against me. One day, I was passing through a road in Jayanagar extension, the road leading to graveyard (time being 2 to 3 p.m.) on my cycle alone. Suddenly, 8 to 9 people attacked me. There was no traffic and even if I had cried out loud, nobody would have come to my rescue.

One of them came forward and stood in front of me looking straight into my eyes. He looked very cruel and was into underworld activities. I could guess it because he had 3-4 knife marks on his face. As I looked into those marks, for a second I thought that my heart had stopped beating. That person barked at me "You pig! Is your name Manja? Have you contested in your college election? Don't do all these things. Our boy Shashi is contesting. You take back your nomination. Other wise, your hands and legs will not be ok. I would have to show who I am!". After this, they drove away in their motorbikes. This was my first experience.

I was thinking hard. "Should I scare them or should I get scared?" Everything was confusion and chaos. I went back to my house and was awake the whole night. At last, I made a decision: "What is wrong with me? Why am I afraid of them? Don't I have friends or don't I have guts?" I thought it was a challenge for me. I got up in the morning and went to college. By that time, Shashi's friends were looking for me. They were thinking that I would act according to their instructions. With smiles on their faces, they gave a hearty welcome to me.

Shashi told me "Manjaaa! Will you take back your nomination? There is time till 5 o'clock in the evening. Let us be friends. Why should we fight each other? Is it not"

"Yes Shashi, there is time till 5 o'clock. Keep it aside. If I ask you the same, will you act in the same way?" I questioned.

They stared at me and left that place.

My friends and I went to a Bar in the evening along with a rowdy. At that Bar I met a "punter" (a punter is someone who is into underworld activities and has some "history"!). I never thought that this meeting would make me an accused in murder cases and even send me to prison. After this meeting, I became a pawn in the under world life for the next 9 years. It just happened and I had no control!!

Getting the support of under world don Kothi Nani and having him for my support, I felt confident and took on Shashi. I won the election for the students union and became the Vice President.

After a fortnight, supporters of Shashi made an assault on me. They beat me so much that I was unconscious and I was admitted to the Government hospital. Kothi Nani met me in the hospital and told me to give him an opportunity to make Shashi and his supporters pay for this deed. I disagreed and told him that I would do that my way. After the complete recovery, I was busy and eventually finished my II PUC examinations. But that sense of revenge was awake and alive in my heart.

After getting a beating from Shashi, there was no chance of forgetting it at all. I fixed a "Muhurtha" for him. It was about 7 P.M; my three friends and I were getting our bikes filled near the Metro pole circle (In the Gas Station). At that time, to our surprise, Shashi came there to get his bike filled and he was alone.

My friends started talking to him. "Come on boy! Why should we fight each other? Let us compromise. Let us go to some Bar". He invited us and took us to a Bar. It was a golden opportunity for us. As we had expected, it happened and he fell into our trap so easily. We went to the Bar, my friends kept our bikes with the engines running as per my instructions. We were ready to start immediately. Getting down from my bike, taking my weapon out, I attacked Shashi. It was almost a deathblow and he was hurt. We left the place immediately. We were scared that Shashi may file a complaint to the police and as a result I fled the town. With the support of Kothi Nani I entered the under world of Bangalore. I got complete security from them because Shashi still had plenty of support from the underworld and they could attack me. One of my friends left to his village and the other two stayed with me.

To be Continued