The article discusses the 'secret killings' that occurred in Assam during the conflict between the Indian government and the ULFA insurgent group. The killers targeted families of insurgents to force them to surrender and create fear in the community. The Justice K. N. Saikia Commission report revealed the involvement of surrendered insurgents and state police in these killings. Despite over 300 deaths, no one was convicted. The author faced challenges in conducting fieldwork on this sensitive topic, focusing on interviewing survivors, victims' families, and police officers. Decisions on what to ask, write, and censor were made based on ethical principles and responses from participants, rather than predetermined strategies.