Anjikuni: A Mysterious Missing Township -Md Uzzal Hossain

Before 1930, a snow-covered lake nestled in the Kivalik region of Canada bore the name Anjikuni. One fateful day, an inquisitive old jailer arrived at this remote locale. The indigenous Eskimo Inuit people frequented the area in search of freshwater fish. Upon his arrival, the jailer sensed the lively presence of fish near the lake’s shallow depths. Without hesitation, he pitched his tent on one side, kindled a fire, and gathered branches to create a makeshift shelter. His humble abode, fashioned from straw, stood as a testament to his curiosity and resourcefulness.

As the jailer endured the frigid climate, he grew fond of the surroundings. Word spread among his tribe, and soon they too journeyed to Anjikuni. Trusting their intrepid explorer, they arrived with great anticipation. Over time, the settlement flourished, accommodating around 2,000 residents. They christened their newfound land “Anjikuni Village” in homage to the lake that had drawn them together.

The Anjikuni villagers revelled in their idyllic existence. Freshwater fish sustained them, and culinary delights crafted from their catch graced their tables. Warm, brewed wine provided comfort during the harsh winters. The village’s hospitality extended beyond its inhabitants; passersby and hungry hunters sought refuge within its cosy confines. As the seasons turned, Anjikuni Village gained renown in the surrounding areas—a scenic haven where leisure and entertainment intertwined under the northern skies.

On a frigid November night in 1930, a Canadian hunter named Joe Label ventured onto the bustling Anjikuni trail in search of warmth and companionship. This wasn’t his first encounter with the village; he had visited several times before, forming a genuine bond with the Gutiktak family. As he trudged through the snow, anticipation danced in his eyes. The prospect of reuniting with these simple, warm-hearted people filled him with joy. The bitter winter wind couldn’t dampen his spirits; he pressed forward, eager for a cosy chat over a cup of brewed wine.

The last time Label visited this village, he could hear people shouting from a distance before even stepping inside. However, this time, things felt different. As soon as he crossed the village threshold, an eerie silence enveloped him. The air hung heavy with an unfamiliar darkness, as if he had accidentally wandered into another realm. But no! Despite the unsettling atmosphere, everything remained familiar under the bright, silvery glow of the full moon. The only missing element was the absence of the once-loved villagers he had come to know so well.

As the night deepened, he wondered if the entire village had succumbed to sleep. Undeterred, he pressed on, moving deeper into the heart of the settlement. In the village square, Label stood alone, surrounded by an eerie silence. The absence of voices and activity felt unnatural and unsettling. It defied the usual rhythm of life. Where were they all? His footsteps carried him towards the familiar homes of friends and neighbours—seven or maybe five of them. Their names echoed through the stillness as he called out, hoping for a response.

Label stood outside the door, his call unanswered. He rapped gently, and the door swung open from within. The room revealed a haphazard collection of household items, clothes strewn about, and remnants of half-cooked food in the oven. Curiosity piqued, and Lebel stepped into another room, only to find the same disarray. Each house he explored in the village presented an identical scene—a puzzling mystery that deepened with every door he opened. Where have the residents disappeared? The simple answer eluded him, leaving Lebel with an unsettling sense of intrigue and foreboding.

The frigid tendrils of fear snaked down his spine, grounding him to the earth. He realised he was utterly alone in this desolate place. His body contorted with unfamiliar dread. Swiftly, he fled the village, putting distance between himself and the eerie silence that enveloped him. As he ventured onwards, he stumbled upon a security forces outpost. Desperate, he penned a detailed account of the inexplicable events and dispatched it to them. The following day, a formidable contingent of four hundred personnel descended upon the area, scouring every inch. To their amazement, no human presence emerged. Yet what they did find left them dumbfounded.

The graves, neatly aligned on one side of the village, now lie empty. The question lingers: who took the bodies from their resting places? Along the path, the half-frozen forms of the villagers’ seven pet sled dogs bear witness to a fierce struggle. Their fur matted and their eyes wide with fear; they seemed to have battled something terrible. On that fateful day, the police and intelligence agencies combed the area yet found no trace of the incident. The villagers, too, remain in the dark about what transpired with the Anjikunis. However, they share a common memory: a few days prior, a vivid blue light streaked across the sky above Anjikuni village, leaving an indelible mark on their collective consciousness.

After the fearful incident, intelligence agencies finally released their report. According to their findings, Joe Label’s claims were entirely fabricated and false. Surprisingly, Joe Label had never even visited the village before, and the desolate location had never been inhabited. However, a perplexing mystery remains: when security forces arrived at the site based on Label’s description, they encountered deserted, abandoned settlements. Evidence of human presence lingered—random daily necessities and even the unmistakable barrel guns used by the Inuit. Who, then, had established this settlement in such a hostile environment, only to vanish without a trace? The enigma deepens, leaving us with more questions than answers.

The enigma surrounding the vanishing of the Anjikunis endures, casting an eerie veil over their fate. Despite exhaustive investigations, no trace of their existence has been unearthed. The narrative remains shrouded in obscurity, perpetuating whispers of a supernatural encounter—an event so inexplicable that it defies rational explanation. Perhaps this enigmatic occurrence will forever elude our understanding, leaving us with more questions than answers.