The land was infamous for being fierce, uncontrollable and lawless for many centuries. This legacy carried on, till the borderland was made a battleground by a bipolar world for decades. It was a no-go area for the public but a haven for mercenary fighters. It became a sanctuary by imperialists and their clientele states on both sides of the border.
Here, deaths were tagged as ‘collateral damage’, innocent people were suspected to be terrorists and killed, children were handicapped, elderly men killed, youth driven away from their land.
No researcher, no journalist and no social activist could make it to this land without permission from the authorities. They could access information provided only in briefings onboard helicopters or in camps.
He wore a deep red cap. He spoke softly but logically. Soon he developed a following of mostly young people. The helpless found in him voice of a leader.
From this rugged land, a young boy fled the unending war and took refuge in a big city. He witnessed from a distance what was going on in the name of security and peace. He tried to convince people of his tribe and country of gross rights violations and injustices carried out in his land. He wore a deep red cap. He spoke softly but logically. Soon he developed a following of mostly young people. The helpless found in him voice of a leader.
But he was not acceptable to the colonialists. His co-ethnic people turned against him as they were lulled by puppet leader(s). He was dubbed as an agent of enemies.
Like Che’s beret, his red cap became a symbol. Local elders did not allow their young ones to wear this cap. Shop sellers stopped selling red caps.
But the young man, donning his signature cap, defied pressure to sideline him. His narrative began to appeal to people around the world. But for most of his own ethnic people, he was an agent and a traitor.
His cap never fell off the head. Long live the red cap – and what it stands for!