Roadmap ready to repatriate Brus, says Mizoram Home Minister

AIZAWL: Mizoram Home Minister R Lalzirliana today said efforts to repatriate Brus from the six relief camps in neighbouring North Tripura district, in accordance with the Road Map-IV prepared by the state government, has already begun.

Replying to a question from opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) member Lalruatkima in the state legislature, Lalzirliana said that the roadmap was prepared following instructions of the Supreme Court on January 16 last to repatriate all the Brus from Tripura within six months.

"The efforts have begun from March 3 and the State Level Core Committee on Bru Repatriation had held two meetings and the District Level Core Committees had also held meetings in Mizoram-Tripura-Bangladesh border Mamit district, Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district and south Mizoram's Lunglei district," he said.

He said that a meeting between representatives of Mizoram government, Tripura government and Bru leaders was held at Kanchanpur town in North Tripura district on March 3 last.

The Road Map-IV, prepared by the Mizoram government was approved by the apex court and the actual implementation would commence as soon as the Ministry of Home Affairs releases the fund for the repatriation expenses, the Minister said.

He said that the meeting convened on January 30 last by the Ministry of Home Affairs between Centre and the state governments of Mizoram and Tripura decided that those who refuse to return to Mizoram should be regarded as permanent residents of Tripura after the expiry of six months.

"According to the census conducted by the Bru Coordination Committee on August 30, 2010 in the six relief camps, which was submitted to the state government, there were 29,625 people belonging to 5,481 families in the relief camps," Lalzirliana said.

He, however, added that there were 11,014 Bru names in the state voters' lists enlisted as those remaining in the relief camps.