A History of Assam c21.92

c21.92

first raid in 1849, and the punitive expedition which followed was so successful that they gave no further trouble until 1868, when a series of outrages led to an abortive expedition, which in its turn was followed by further raids. In 1871-72 two columns marched through the hills and met with entire success. From that time forward no further breaches of the peace occurred on the Assam frontier. In 1889, however, a raid was made on the Chittagong border and a number of captives were taken. Their release being demanded and refused, troops again entered the country. The captives were rescued and the chiefs who were responsible for the outrage were arrested. It was now decided to put down raids once for all by establishing military outposts at Aijal and Changsil, in the northern portion of the hills, and at Lungleh, in the southern. Political Officers were posted to Aijal and Lungleh, and the Lushais appeared to have accepted the situation when, without any warning, those near Aijal rose in a body and murdered Captain Browne, the Political Officer, who was marching, practically unattended, from that place to Changsil. In less than two months, the outbreak had been suppressed and the ringleaders arrested and deported. Early in 1892 there was an insurrection of the Eastern Lushais, but it was quelled without much trouble. From this time no further opposition was offered, and the people have now settled down quietly as peaceable and law-abiding British subjects.