AGARTALA, June 6 � Despite all out efforts, repatriation of Bru refugees, sheltered in six relief camps in Kanchanpur subdivision in Tripura, has been virtually derailed once again.
A team of Mizoram Government officials has arrived at Kasko relief camp for identification of Bru refugees, who will be eligible to be repatriated to Mizoram but none of the refugee inmates turned up, according to sources.
However, the team, after performing �official duty for three days� left Kasko camp for Mizoram on Friday. Another team is scheduled to reach Kasko camp to take the willing refugees back to homeland � Mizoram.
A section of the refugee leaders have allegedly been the stumbling block to the repatriation of Reang refugees by raising various demands. There are allegations that refugee leaders have asked the refugees not to turn up at Kasko camp for identification.
The Union Government has already offered a rehabilitation package to those refugee families who want to return to Mizoram. Under the package, a one-time grant of Rs 85,000 to each family along with free ration for two years after repatriation.
A refugee leader tonight said the Mizoram Bru Displaced People�s Forum (MBDPF) wants an amicable solution to the vexed refugee problem. �We want a meeting on a broader canvass involving the Centre, Mizoram Government, Tripura Government and MBDPF to find a realistic solution�, he said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, MBDPF general secretary Bruno Mesa speaking to newsmen said: �On the repatriation process, the MBDPF has been cooperating with both Mizoram and Tripura Governments and is also convincing our people to return back�.
According to him, to live in a relief camp is very unwanted but our people have not turned up for this identification because after viewing the roadmap prepared by the Mizoram Government they found that there is no development and this roadmap is very uncertain for their future survival.
The spots selected for rehabilitation is not satisfactory for the (Bru) people as it is mainly in Mizo dominated areas. Moreover, the demands which MBDPF had submitted are also not considered and there is no point agreed by Mizoram government to be materialized. May be this is the reason why our people have not turned in the identification process.�