A team is on the way, Sir

In flooded Kashmir everyone is like fish out of water. The police wireless operator is a particularly harassed one. But salmon-like, he has learned to rise against the current. Inundated with SOS calls, his standard operating procedure has changed to "A team is on the way, Sir."

The beauty about police wireless is that all conversations can be heard by everyone on the police wireless network. "Whereabouts of relatives and friends, and if they were safe," were the most FAQ, says an anonymous letter posted to dna. "I sit next to the wireless operator (in HMT police station, Srinagar) and watch him take calls. He notes down queries and tells callers, 'A team is on the way, Sir."

Soothing words. Also, standing instructions. To every SOS, respond with 'A team is on the way'. So said an office memo to wireless operators. Of course, there will be no team on the way. "How can, when there are no boats," says the anonymous letter writer.

But the calls do not stop. DGP K Rajendra calls to instruct wireless operator at HMT police station to inform IGP (Kashmir) AG Mir and divisional commissioner Rohit Kansal to be present at Hariniwas on Monday. He also wants a boat sent to Jawaharnagar. MLA Nazir Gurazi's family is trapped there. "A team is on the way, Sir."

IGP calls. He wants boats sent to Jawaharnagar. People are trapped there. The wireless operator responds, "A team is on the way, Sir." This is followed by a call from deputy commissioner (Srinagar) Farooq Shah. His brother-in-law is trapped in Jawaharnagar. "A team is on the way, Sir."

A caller reports that chief minister Omar Abdullah's uncle is trapped. "A team is on the way, Sir." A distress call from Shaheed Gunj police station: Seventeen policemen are trapped, they need immediate rescue. "A team is on the way, Sir." A senior official calls. He wants a wireless set installed at chief minister Omar Abdullah's house. "A team is on the way, Sir."

The night drags on. Chief engineer (flood control) Javed Jaffar! Two executive engineers and their families are missing. He wants rescue teams sent to Rajbagh and Jawaharnagar. "A team is on the way, Sir." A journalist calls. He wants to know the exact water level at Karan Nagar. "I don't have a scale, Sir. Else, I would have measured the water level."

Suddenly, the operator comes erect. His car! He had left the vehicle at a service centre on the highway the night before Jhelum rolled in. The highway went underwater. So did his car. And he cannot lie to himself!