Panaji: There was high drama at Goa’s tiny Dabolim airport through the day yesterday as Tarun Tejpal prepared to keep his appointment with the law in Goa. The confusion started as early as 6.30am as the national media descended on the airport amid rumours that Tejpal was expected to arrive in the morning. As things turned out, he landed in the evening after being granted interim bail till 2.30pm.
It was a tough day for the reporters and security personnel keeping vigil at the airport with some even skipping breakfast and lunch, making do with a quick snack instead. The reporters — unsure about the events unfolding in Delhi — were afraid to lose their strategic spots while the policemen obviously did not want to incur their superiors’ wrath in front of the media. The drivers sent by tour operators to pick up clients were a frazzled lot given all the confusion and security. “Why the hell can’t these Delhiwallahs deal with their problems in Delhi instead of inconveniencing us,” one said in very colourful Konkani as he desperately scanned the arriving passengers for his guests, holding a board with their names above the sea of heads.
When the Indigo plane with Tejpal and a horde of journalists finally landed early in the evening, all hell broke loose at the arrival gates. The few Goan journalists around were no match for their Delhi and Mumbai counterparts well versed in the art of shoving and cursing in pursuit of that exclusive shot or soundbyte. It made sense to stand back and soak in the action and get whatever picture possible without hurting body or spirit. It was amusing to see the normally brusque police personnel trying to be polite even as they tried to restore some semblance of order among the journalists.
A defiant-looking Tejpal was ferreted away by the Goa Police and the scene shifted outside the airport, which is a traffic nightmare at the best of times. A group of protesters waving what is best described as black rags were rewarded for their patience when the TV cameras finally found them as the vehicle carrying Tejpal to Panaji passed by. “Tejpal chor hain [Tejpal is a thief]”, they chanted. The enthusiasm disappeared as soon as the cameras found something else to focus on.
A shopkeeper who does business just outside the airport summed up the day: “Aisa roz hona chahiye,” he said, “business ke liye accha hain.” (This should happen every day. It’s good for business.)
