AGARTALA, May 16 – Uncertainty still looms large over the much-awaited repatriation of Bru refugees from North Tripura’s Kanchanpur subdivision with Mizoram Bru Displaced People Forum (MBDPF), apex body of the refugees, opposing the move.
“Yes, we have received a list of 284 families to be repatriated to Mizoram from today but the MBDPF is not in support of the move of the Mizoram Government,” said Elvis Chorkey, president on Sunday over telephone from Gachairampara Reang refugee camp.
He said that the Tripura Government has identified 564 Bru families, who were displaced from Mizoram following ethnic clashes in October 1995. According to the MBDPF survey, the number of displaced families stands at 800 in Kanchanpur subdivision. “What will happen to others if the Mizoram Government takes back only 284 families”, he pointed out.
“We are not going to support the move of the Mizoram Government. They will have to come here for conducting proper verification before setting the stage for the repatriation of the displaced Bru families”, he said. Chorkey also criticised the Mizoram Government’s repatriation arrangement. “They have not arranged transportation to take back the displaced people”, he said.
Meanwhile, two officials of Mizoram Government visited the refugee leaders and handed over the list of displaced families who will be allowed to return home.
Bru refugee body opposes Mizoram Govt’s move
