Aizawl, Nov 10 NNN: Mizoram Bru Displaced People Forum (MBDPF) threatened to oppose repatriation of about 100 Bru families from Tripura refugee camps on November 12.
In a press communique today, MBDPF president A. Sawibunga and the general secretary Bruno Msha demanded talks in the Home secretary level and signing of an agreement for laying conditions for their safe return and rehabilitation before the repatriation process completes.
Meanwhile, according to Mizoram Home department sources, the Bru refugees will be lifted from various camps by vehicles to be arranged by Tripura government for rehabilitation in Sihiang village. The spokesman also said, the government will go ahead to implement the repatriation programme despite resistance and intimidation from some anti-repatriation organisations.
It is worth noting that the repatriation process of the Brus has begun since the first week of November.
The Mizoram government had even distributed Rs. 80,000 to each of 53 Bru families who returned to Kolalian from Tripura camps as financial assistance.
Kolalian is a Bru inhabitated village and was deserted during the 1997 clash with the Mizos.
The first batch of repatriation was completed on November 3 and November 4 last where 53 families were brought back from Tripura transit camps to Mizoram.
The Mizoram government is planning to repatriate the remaining Brus at the camp as soon as possible but due to difference of opinions among the Bru organisations, repatriation process cannot be accelerated as per government plan, said officials from Mizoram’s home ministry few days ago.
