Click to play videoNellie (Assam): In one of the worst communal riots in India nearly 3,300 Muslim men, women and children were killed in Nellie, Assam on February 18, 1983. All the victims died for defying a call to boycott state elections during the Assam agitation.
It has been more than 25 years since the riots but will the victims' families be brave enough to face the ballot again?
The All Assam Students' Union had called for a boycott of the elections. Some people defied the call and voted on February 14. They were killed on February 18.
Siirajuddin Ahmed, resident of Nellie, lost his parents and four daughters in the riots
"Attackers came from all sides at 8 (0800 hrs IST) in the morning. I don't have faith in the Indian Constitution after this. I refuse to vote," says Ahmed.
Today in Assam, illegal migration remains a key election issue.
Unfortunately, often, the people of Nellie who are bonafide citizens have been equated with foreigners.
"My grandfather came here before independence. Then there was no Bangladsh, no Pakistan," says Ahmed.
The compensation has been Rs 5,000 for the next of kin of the dead, Rs 3,000 or Rs 1,000 for the injured.
The people who survived the attacks plead to take a look at their wounds. But even 25 years on, the healing process hasn't started, yet many of them still have faith in the election process.
"Yes, I will vote, I always vote," says an old woman.
No development, no infrastructure, no justice and as yet another election approaches the mass graveyard remains a silent witness to the horror's nagging shadow.
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