Union Home Minister P Chidambaram recently visited Tripura to take stock of Bru repatriation and extend full support of central government to the process.
He was at the Gachirampara camp at Kanchanpur, which is among the six refugee camps in Tripura.
He interacted with the leaders of Bru people and advised all the 37,000 Bru refugees to return to Mizoram and start their life afresh.
“I have made it clear to them that their long-term interest lies in returning home rather than living here. We will provide for their rehabilitation and resettlement. Ministry of DONER has already approved a substantial package for house sites, road connectivity, electricity, schools and other things,” said Chidambaram.
“And I said we much encourage you to go back to Mizoram and that is where you must build your life as you can’t spend your entire life as a refugee. I think the message I wanted to give hadgone?” he added.
The Ministry of Development of Northeastern Region has issued Rs 33 crores to Mizoram government for the Bru people.
The displaced Bru people have offered to go back if some conditions like written agreement between them and Mizoram government, increased rehabilitation package and other issues including land, financial aid, drinking water and development are met.aisingpara Bru Relief Camp, Young Bru Association and Bru Socio-cultural Organisation were some of the other organizations, who were present at the meeting.
Chidambaram assured the Bru that he would meet the Mizoram government and come back to them soon.
He also discussed the issue with the Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.
“We have apprised him our problems and he has made commitment to us that he will look into our problems seriously and discuss it with the Mizoram government and solve it personally the problems of refugees,” said A Saurbunga, president, Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum.
Many Bru’s were happy with the visit of Chidamabaram as it gave them hope of returning back home.
“We are hopeful of repatriation with the visit of P Chidambaram. He can solve our problem and we hope that he can arrange for land and security for us when we return back to Mizoram; however, we need a district council there,” said Ramakrishna Reang, a refugee.
Till date more than 790 families have been repatriated and nearly 6000 families are still left.
The Brus have been staying in the refugee camps since 1997 after they fled Mizoram due to ethnic clash with Mizos.
—Agencies