25 years on.. Nellie still haunts

25 years on.. Nellie still haunts is an English language booklet written by veteran journalist Hemendra Narayan. The book is based on the infamous Nellie massacre took place in Assam in 1983 during the Assam Movement to which the author himself was a witness. The author himself publishes the book.
When & Where
The Nellie massacre took place in Assam during a six-hour period in the morning of 18 February 1983 by Lalung tribespeople. The massacre claimed the lives of 2,191 people from 14 villages - Alisingha, Khulapathar, Basundhari, Bugduba Beel, Bugduba Habi, Borjola, Butuni, Indurmari, Mati Parbat, Muladhari, Mati Parbat no. 8, Silbheta, Borburi and Nellie of Nagaon district. Most of the victims were Bangladeshi Muslims.
Background
The ethnic clash that took place in Nellie was seen as a fallout of the decision to hold the controversial Assembly elections in 1983 despite stiff opposition from several elements in the state. Police officials had suggested to hold the polls in phases in order to avoid violence. According to then Assam Inspector General of Police, KPS Gill, there were 63 constituencies, where elections could have been held without any trouble. Among the rest, the Assam police had declared there were 23 constituencies where it was "impossible to hold any election." Nellie was cited as one of the "troubled" spots before the elections. 400 companies of Central paramilitary force and 11 brigades of the Indian Army were deployed to guard Assam while the polls were scheduled to take place in phases.
 
< Prev   Next >