We’d better get there before they take matters into their own hands. Who’s the bastard who did this?’ ‘Mansoor,’ Dilshad says. Ombir frowns, and Bhim Sain says, joining them, ‘Must be some mistake. Mansoor wouldn’t harm anyone. And why would he hurt Chand’s daughter? They used to let him sleep in the field some nights, gave him tea, and a meal also.’ ‘Mistake or not, we should hurry,’ Ombir says, kickstarting their unreliable Bullet. ‘Angry men don’t stop to think.’
-- Ombir and Dilshad (Night Duty)

Importance: This quote highlights the novel’s exploration of justice and mob violence. Ombir’s urgency shows his awareness of how quickly anger can override reason in a community already on edge. Bhim Sain’s doubts about Mansoor’s guilt reflect the characters’ understanding that accusations often stem from prejudice rather than evidence. The scene also illustrates Ombir’s role as a flawed but fundamentally good...