Time frame for Bru repatriation extended by Centre: Mizoram

Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana today informed the state legislature that the Centre has extended the time frame for repatriation of Brus in the six relief camps in Tripura from September 2018 to March 31, 2019.

In a written reply to questions from Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) members V L Zaithanzama and C Lalsawivunga, Lalchamliana said that resumption of the repatriation would be taken up again in consultation with the Centre.

He said, according to the agreement reached between the Centre, the Mizoram government, the Tripura government and Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF).

The MBDPF is an umbrella organisation of the Bru refugees lodged in six relief camps in Tripura since July three last year.

The relief camps were to be closed from October, 2018.

The agreement was to be implemented by the Tripura state government and the Mizoram government does not have any official information on the extent of implementation of the agreement signed in Delhi, he said.

At least 1,681 Bru families have returned to Mizoram so far since 2010 and were resettled in Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border Mamit district, Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district and Mizoram-Bangladesh border southern district of Lunglei.

He said that 5,407 Bru families have been identified in November, 2016 as bona fide residents of Mizoram of which 33 families have returned during 2018 and 5,374 Bru families were estimated to have been remaining in the relief camps.