Bru families from Mizoram seek refuge in Tripura

Many Bru families from Mizoram have taken shelter in four refugee camps in north Tripura's Dhancherra area. The recent influx of bru refugees is the result of conflict created by militant outfits between Reang and Mizo tribes.

Over two thousand tribals, including women and children, belonging to the Bru community from Mizoram have taken shelter in refugee camps in Dhancherra.

The migration has taken place following a fear psychosis that their houses might be attacked by the ethnic majority Mizos.

Though, no incident of any recent conflict between the Mizos and Brus was reported in the Mizoram villages bordering North Tripura.

Tension was prevailing in Reang-dominated villages in Mamit district of western Mizoram over the kidnapping of two people on November 23, 2013, by the National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) militants aided by suspected Reang militants BNLF.

Bru families apparently feared a repeat of the 1997 ethnic violence and fled.

" In connection with the kidnapping of two Mizos, the Mizo youths and YMA (Young Mizo association) have threatened the Bru people. They fear they will be attacked and are moving to Naisingpara camp. Today another seven families consisting of 21 members have come here. Earlier 11 families had come, out of which six returned," said A Lalbia Thanga Reang, President, Thakchang refugee camp.

Since October 1997, around 36,000 Bru tribal refugees have taken shelter in six camps in North Tripura, after ethnic clashes with Mizo's over the killing of a Mizo forest official.

A few Bru families were sent back to Mizoram for rehabilitation but the majority is not willing to return to their home state Mizoram, as they fear for their safety.