Mizoram to take back Bru refugees before election

AIZAWL: Mizoram government will soon initiate repatriation of Brus lodged in six relief camps in neighbouring Tripura if the Election Committee gives a green signal for it.

The state government and the civil society wants that all the remaining Brus in relief camps should return before Lok Sabha elections to be held in the state on April 9, Mizoram Joint Secretary for Home Lalbiakzama today said.

A meeting of the District Level Core Committee on Bru Repatriation and Rehabilitation deliberated on the preparations for repatriation process at border town Mamit yesterday, he said.

"The district core committee has identified 96 Bru families lodged in three relief camps - Kaskau, Khakchangpara and Hamsapara -- while the rest of the families would be verified and identified from the other relief camps," he said.

The meeting, chaired by Mamit district Deputy Commissioner R S Lalzamliana, decided that the verification should be resumed and the final report submitted to the District Level Core Committee by March 21.

"We will seek clearance and permission from the Election Commission for carrying out the repatriation and would make preparations in the meantime," Lalbiakzama said.