Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Assam to Make 1983 Nellie Massacre Report Public
A long time ago, in 1983, a terrible event called the Nellie massacre happened in Assam, where many people died.
A special group looked into it and wrote a big report.
For many years, this report was kept secret.
Now, the leaders of Assam have decided to finally share this report.
The Chief Minister says the report explains that the violence was a response to other things that had happened before, and it also talks about how the state has changed over time, especially how land ownership changed and people felt they were losing their identity.
He believes it's important for people to know this history.
However, some people are worried that releasing an old report after so many years might upset people or cause problems, especially because elections are coming soon.
They think it could disturb the peace that has been built between different groups.
The Assam cabinet has approved making the Tewary Commission report on the 1983 Nellie massacre public.
The report will be circulated among assembly members and provided to the assembly library on November 25.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated the report describes the massacre as a 'retaliatory response' by the indigenous population.
The report also details demographic changes in Assam since 1951, including changes in farmland ownership and identity.
The government aims to fulfill a past commitment to make the report public, which has been withheld for decades.
- Who
- Assam Cabinet, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma
- What
- Approved to make the Tewary Commission report on the 1983 Nellie massacre public by circulating it among assembly members and providing copies to the assembly library.
- When
- The report will be circulated on November 25 during the upcoming assembly session. The massacre occurred in 1983.
- Where
- Assam Assembly, Nellie (Central Assam's Morigaon district)
- Why
- To fulfill a past commitment, make historical information public, and highlight demographic changes in Assam since 1951.
Government Rationale
Opposition Concerns
Timeliness of Report Release
Government Rationale
The government is fulfilling a commitment to the House and making a historical document public that should not be hidden.
Opposition Concerns
Releasing a 43-year-old report may reopen old wounds and incite people ahead of elections.
Content and Purpose of Release
Government Rationale
The report highlights demographic changes in Assam since 1951, detailing the decline of local farmland ownership and the erosion of Assamese identity, and frames the massacre as a 'retaliatory response' by the indigenous population.
Opposition Concerns
The release could potentially disturb the harmony and trust among communities in the Nellie area.
- Event
- 1983 Nellie Massacre
- Victims
- Over 2,000 killed, mostly immigrant Muslims
- Commission
- Tewary Commission
- Report Submission
- Submitted after 1985 Assam Accord
- Report Tabling Date
- November 25
- Report Details
- Covers 1979-1985, highlights demographic changes since 1951 and 'retaliatory response' by indigenous population.
