Repatriation process; 'Bru ultras must shun violence first'

AIZAWL, March 16: The Mizoram government has said the Bru insurgent outfit must stop its activities and the Centre should provide adequate funds before repatriation of Bru refugees from Tripura, reports PTI. State Home department sources said here on Friday, Mizoram Chief Secretary H V Lalringa told a high-level meeting in New Delhi that the State government cannot begin the repatriation process as it will mean bringing an armed insurgent group in the State. Top officials of Union Home ministry and the Chief Secretary of Tripura, took part in Thursday's meeting on Bru repatriation issue. Lalringa said at the meeting that the Bru National Liberation Front should first lay down arms and shun the path of violence before repatriation began. The Union Government should also provide adequate fund for rehabilitation and resettlement of the bonafide resident Brus before the repatriation process began, he said adding Mizoram would not be able to bear the expenses due to financial crunch. State Additional Secretary for Home C Tawnluaia told PTI the Mizoram government had urged the Centre to provide Rs 20 crore for the rehabilitation and resettlement of Brus, lodged in Tripura relief camps, but there has been no response in this regard so far. Meanwhile identification cell of the Aizawl District Deputy Commissioner's office had identified more than 1000 Bru refugees as bonafide residents of Mizoram.