Crossword Genius

Like Neill in Indian State? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

assam

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'iindian statei?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'like neill' is the wordplay.
'like' becomes 'as'.
'neill' becomes 'sam' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'as'+'sam'='ASSAM'

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for assam that I've seen before include "India tea-producing state" , "Indian state, famed for its tea" , "Tea-producing Indian state" , "Leaves to get in hot water" , "Indian tea-growing state" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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