Bru people repatriation likely to be delayed

Though Mizoram officials have completed identification of bona fide state residents in six Bru relief camps in Mizoram, their physical repatriation is likely to be delayed and taken up only by early next year, a state home department official today said.
As per the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation, the physical repatriation was supposed to begin from November 30 and continue till December 15, and after a break for Christmas and New Year holidays, it was to resume from January 15.
But, the official said, while the Ministry of Home Affairs was yet to decide on the rate of enhancement of fund for each repatriated family, the total expenditure for repatriation could not be ascertained till date.

Demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would also create problems in disbursement of money to Bru families if physical repatriation is conducted this year, he said.
Mizoram government officials have identified 32,857 Brus belonging to 5,413 families who would be repatriated as per the proposed road map for Bru repatriation.
According to the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation, around 21,000 Brus belonging to 3,445 families were to be repatriated, but the figure shot up much more than the target requiring allocation of additional fund.