Bru repatriation process to resume today

Aizawl:  The process of repatriation of Bru refugees to Mizoram from relief camps in Tripura would resume today, a senior official said.
The final briefing was held at Mamit district deputy commissioner’s office during the day, he said adding around 20,700 Brus, including 11,446 minors belonging to 3,455 families were proposed to be repatriated this time, Mizoram additional secretary to the home department Lalbiakzama said. Identification of bonafide Bru residents of Mizoram would begin at Kaskau relief camp from tomorrow while the actual repatriation would begin from June eight.
The process would continue till September, Lalbiakzama said. The state government had asked for Rs 68.60 crore as expenses for the repatriation of which Rs 4.70 crore was already released by the Centre, he said. Those who return to Mizoram would be resettled in 61 villages in three districts – Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts. According to records of the state home department 8,573 Brus belonging to 1,622 families have returned to Mizoram since November 2, 2010, which was the first phase of repatriation. Meanwhile, president of Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF) A Sawibunga told PTI over phone from Naisingpara relief camp in Tripura that MBDPF would not resist the proposed resumption of repatriation. “I do not know whether our people would agree to return to Mizoram while the Centre and Mizoram government failed to concede our demands like increasing rehabilitation and resettlement package to Rs 1.5 lakh and resettling the refugees in large cluster of villages,” Sawibunga said. The decision to return to Mizoram or remain in the relief camps would be made by the inmates, he said.  (PTI)