Controversy Erupts Over Retabling of Historic Violence Report
The Assam government's decision to table the TP Tewary inquiry commission report on the 1983 violence during the anti-foreigners movement for a second time in the assembly has sparked significant political controversy. The report, which investigates the Nellie massacre of February 1983, has remained unpublished despite being submitted to the government back in 1984.
Political Parties Clash Over Report's Status
Senior Congress leader and opposition leader Debabrata Saikia has strongly questioned the government's move, raising fundamental procedural concerns. "The question of discussion on the report will come later. The primary question is how a report can be laid in the House again if it was laid earlier," Saikia stated emphatically.
He further added, "If the report was laid, then it is a past matter and cannot be revived," indicating the Congress party's firm opposition to the retabling of the document that has been shrouded in mystery for nearly four decades.
AIUDF Calls for Transparency and CBI Probe
In contrast to Congress's position, AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam has advocated for the report's presentation and discussion. Islam revealed historical context, stating, "It is said that the report was laid in the House in 1987 by the then chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta. The report was officially laid but the copies could not be provided to the members of the House for which the report is not available in the public domain."
Islam criticized Congress's objections, noting, "Congress is objecting to the government's move to table the report. In my opinion, they should also seek to lay the report." He provided crucial historical background, reminding that Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister and Hiteshwar Saikia was the chief minister during that turbulent period when President's rule was briefly imposed.
"It was a tragic and heart-wrenching incident. But, unfortunately, the police cases were later withdrawn. So, there should not be any objection in laying it again," Islam argued, while also expressing regret that previous governments failed to take this action earlier.
The AIUDF leader emphasized that the true purpose of tabling the report would only be achieved if the government orders a CBI probe into the incident, suggesting that mere presentation without proper investigation would be insufficient.
Historical Significance of the Report
The TP Tewary inquiry commission was specifically constituted to investigate the violence that occurred during the anti-foreigners movement, with particular focus on the Nellie massacre of February 1983. The commission completed its work and submitted the findings to the government in 1984, but the contents have never been made public, creating decades of speculation and demands for transparency.
The state government has confirmed that it will table the report on the first day of the assembly session on Tuesday, setting the stage for what promises to be a heated political confrontation over one of Assam's most sensitive historical episodes.
