Reang refugee repatriation once again runs into rough weather with inmates of six relief camps in North Tripura district declining to return to their homes on the ground of “non-fulfilment of promises”.
As many as 747 Bru refugees of 141 families were scheduled to return to Mizoram on Thursday from Hamchapara refugee camp but they raised slogans against Mizoram government for not fulfilling promises given to ‘already repatriated’ Bru families in Mizoram, official sources said.
They alleged that the 600 Bru families who were repatriated to their homeland last year were not given proper rehabilitation, sources added.
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The refugees said they would return after the Centre and Mizoram governments give written assurance of proper rehabilitation and security.
On March 18, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had visited the Ashapara refugee camp in North Tripura district and in a meeting with the refugees urged them to return home.
After the visit, it was decided that fresh repatriation would begin on April 26 and the Centre will provide funds for their resettlement in Mizoram.
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Sources said a fresh initiative would be taken for repatriation.
The Reangs had trickled down to North Tripura since 1996 and sheltered in camps following ethnic conflict with the Mizos over possession of land.
There are about 34,000 refugees in six evacuee camps in North Tripura district.