| The following article is written from an In Universe perspective. |
The Occupation of Bellons otherwise known as the Poplne Occupation of Bellons lasted for forty-years following the Invasion of Bellons by the Poplne.
Poplne Rule
After the invasion of Bellons, in 3383, the Poplne enslaved much of the Bellonsion population and set them to work in work camps across the planet, stripping it of its natural resources, to build up the Poplne's fleet.
Poplne rule was harsh and they became known for their brutality. Superintendant Ma'kof, the leader of the occupation between 3402 and 3417 was considered the evilest and brutal of them all, by many Bellonsions. (CF: Occupation)
The Resistance is Born
After 30 years of occupation, in 3413, Duncan Armstrong, a human spy working for the galactic federation, managed to infiltrate one of the work camps operated by the Poplne. Armstrong continued his operations over the next few years, getting married to a Bellonsion peasant, Hame, to help his cover in 3416. Just after his wedding, Armstrong was arrested by the Poplne for espionage and taken to Exotract 1, whereby he was tortured and interrogated by Superintendant Ma'kof. In 3417, after seven months of imprisonment, Armstrong managed to escape and set Exotract 1 to self-destruct, destroying the station, himself and every Poplne on it, including the High Command of the Occupation. Armstrong soon became a martyr after these events, sparking a rebellion by, what-would-become, the Bellonsion Resistance, leading to Poplne withdrawal from the planet in 3423. (CF: Occupation)
Aftermath
After the occupation ended, the Bellonsions rebuilt themselves, installing a new government, and joining the Galactic Federation. Their relations with the Poplne improved, but only slightly, still remaining in a cold war, with many Poplne seemingly resentful of the fact that they withdrew from the occupation. (DW: No Sky in Space)
Behind the Scenes
The Occupation of Bellons was retconned into the Doctor Who canon by the Cold Front episode Occupation, as beforehand the Bellonsions and Poplne were just in a cold war, however, this was changed so that the Poplne brutally occupied Bellons for forty-years until the Poplne were forced to withdraw from the planet by the Bellonsion Resistance led by a young Germaine Do'nel.
Ira Steven Behr was behind the decision, describing it as "adding the necessary weight to the Poplne and showing just how evil they were".