The violence and the left: a study in the context of the Assam Movement (1979–85)

The Assam Movement (1979–85) was one of the most significant political developments in the history of Assam. It demanded the detection and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam. The movement passed through several phases, many of which involved violence. It includes the clashes between the agitators and the left-leaning political parties and organizations, which resulted in severe violence and even several fatalities. Certain works related to the violence and the Assam Movement provide information on the nature and timelines of those violence. However, there is a gap in the analysis of the reasons behind this development. Therefore, this paper attempts to understand the said gap historically. The primary sources for the study are archived files and documents. The study argues that the violence broke out as a result of the development of left politics, the emergence of regional political parties, and the left's involvement in the Assam Movement.