Beckettian state? (5)

I believe the answer is:

assam

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'state?' is the definition.
(I know that Assam is a state)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for assam that I've seen before include "Tea state of India" , "Indian tea-growing area" , "Tea-growing region" , "Tea-growing state in north-east India" , "NE Indian state (tea)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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