Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum pulls out of the NDA's Bru agreement

GUWAHATI: NDA government’s claim of solving the vexed Bru refugee issue has fallen flat on its face as Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF), one of the signatories of the Bru agreement, pulled off the agreement.

In a meeting convened on July 3 by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, which was attended by CM of Tripura Biplab Kumar Deb, CM of Mizoram Lal Thanhawla and Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum (MBDPF), a consensus was reached on the agreement for repatriation of displaced Bru Refugees after almost 22 years.

A Sawibunga, President of MBDPF, in a letter to MHA and Tripura government informed that agreement signed on 3/7/18 at New Delhi stands withdrawn due to strong agitation against MBDPF leaders by general/mass public in presence of the officials of the government of Tripura.


General secretary of MBDPF Bruno Msha told ET, “People gheraoed our office as they were unhappy with the agreement. The people want composition and cluster of villages besides facilities for Bru Hindus including cremation ground. The people want the compensation money to be put in savings bank account instead of the fixed deposit.”

He added, “Facing such strong protest from our own people we had no other option but to withdraw and renegotiate.”

Thousands of Bru refugees from Mizoram are staying in Tripura after ethnic clashes of 1997.

The rehabilitation package included each family will be given on time financial assistance for rehabilitation of Rs 4 lakh to be kept in fixed deposit in the name of the head of the family. The money will remain fixed deposit for two years and the money will be given to the family on its having lived continuously in Mizoram for three years.

Each family will be given Rs 5,000 per month as cash assistance for a period of two years from the date of repatriation. Families will be provided Rs 1.5 lakh as house building assistance.

Each person repatriating will be given free ration for two years at present rate applicable. Families will get free transportation, to be arranged by Government of Mizoram. MHA will reimburse the cost.