AGARTALA, May 9 � Uncertainty still looms large over the much-awaited repatriation of Bru refugees from North Tripura�s Kanchanpur subdivision with Mizoram Bru Displaced People Forum (MBDPF), apex body of the refugees, opposing the move.
�Yes, we received a list of 284 families to be repartitioned to Mizoram from May 11 and the MBDPF will not favour the move of the Mizoram government,� said Elvis Chorkey, president of MBDPF on Sunday over telephone from Gachairampara Reang refugee camp.
He said that Tripura government has identified 564 Bru families, who were displaced from the Mizoram following ethnic clashes in October 1995. According to the MBDPF survey, the number of displaced families stands at 800 in Kanchanpur subdivision. �What will happen to others if the Mizoram government takes back only 284 families�, he pointed out.
�We are not going to support the move of the Mizoram government. They will have to come here for conducting proper verification before setting the stage for the repatriation of the displaced Bru families�, he said adding that the MBDPF would also send letters to the Centre and Tripura government mentioning their stand on the crucial issue.
Chorkey also criticized the Mizoram government�s repatriation arrangement. �They have not arranged transportation to take back the displaced people�, he said.
Meanwhile, two officials of Mizoram government including SDO (Civil) Kortha subdivision of Mamit district visited the refugee leaders and handed over the list of displaced families who will be allowed to return home from May 11.
It may be noted that there was a move to take back Reang refugees in November, last year. But the process was stalled following fresh ethnic flare-up in the wake of a murder of a Mizo youth.
