Bru refugees from Mizoram have been streaming into refugee camps in north Tripura since 1997. Recently, a senior official of the Ministry of Home Affairs visited Tripura to ensure early repatriation of the Bru refugees to Mizoram.
The repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura to Mizoram has become a major concern for the government.
Satyendra Garg, Joint Secretary at North East division of the MHA, met Tripura's Chief Secretary Y.P. Singh and Director General of Police (DGP) K. Nagaraj to discuss repatriation of the displaced Brus, who are currently sheltered in seven camps in North Tripura district.
Garg also visited the refugee camps at Kanchanpur where more than 30,000 Bru refugees have lived since they fled Mizoram in 1997 following communal violence over a land dispute with the Mizos.
Garg said the effort at present is to restart the repatriation process as per the new revised plan submitted by the Mizoram Government.
"As per schedule, repatriation was supposed to take place in the month of August, but for some reason it could not take place. So now, our effort is that we want to ensure that repatriation takes place as per the new plans," he said.
Garg also held meeting with the leaders of Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) in Kanchanpur.
He discussed the revised road map finalized by the Mizoram Government and urged the refugees to return to their home state accordingly.
It is worth mentioning that the government plans to start the next phase of repatriation of more than 30,000 Brus from November.
The Centre has also promised a repatriation package to the inmates.
"We have basically come to understand the problems. Government of Mizoram has submitted a final repatriation plan and we have shared some of the movement plans featured here. Government of Mizoram is represented here at very high level. Basically, the idea was that all three governments involved in the repatriation have interaction with the people who are to be repatriated, understand their point of view and make this repatriation plan work in time stick," Garg said.
MBDPF president Bruno Mesha said dubbed it to be a legitimate and humanitarian demand.
"In the meantime, we have presented our difficulties of why we are unable to repatriate. We also submitted the certain point which is prepared by the people from here itself to be fulfilled. It is very much legitimate and humanitarian and not a difficult demand so unless and until this demand has been properly address, it will be little bit difficult to go back," he said.
Concerned over the attacks on security forces by insurgents, Garg said the Centre has decided to increase security in the unfenced bordering areas to check cross-border insurgency.
He also expressed concern over Arunachal Pradesh being used as a corridor and a haven by Naga militants.
"Arunachal has got spread over insurgency and is next to Nagaland. Certain areas of Arunachal are next to Nagaland and there is real insurgency situation there, but corridors or insurgents moving for hideouts, shelter or crossover, those concerns are there. However, we are addressing them," he said.
Garg also said the government is ready to hold talks with northeast based insurgent outfits if they are ready to shun violence.
"To bring long-lasting peace in the region, the Government of India has taken an initiative to continue peace talks with various insurgent groups in the region. If the insurgents give up the violent means and accept the Constitution, the Government of India of course will talk, but then there should be a congenial atmosphere," he said.
The government is giving special emphasis on the development of northeast region by encouraging investment in various sectors.
