Agartala, March 3 (IANS) The Tripura government on Tuesday again urged the central government to take steps to send over 31,000 tribal refugees back to Mizoram to maintain ethnic harmony in the northeastern region.
The Tripura assembly on Tuesday discussed the 17-year-old issue.
After replying to a series of questions of the legislators, Revenue and Relief Minister Badal Choudhury told the assembly: "We urge upon the central government to ask the Mizoram government to take back the refugees."
"The central and Mizoram governments recently took a fresh initiative to repatriate the refugees in view of the Supreme Court directions Jan 16. Union home minister Rajnath Singh and his deputy Kiren Rijiju recently visited Tripura and persuaded the refugee leaders to go back to their homes in Mizoram," he said.
Choudhury said: "Union home minister tried to hold a meeting with the chief ministers of Tripura and Mizoram to finalise a road map to repatriate the refugees to Mizoram. However, Mizoram chief minister did not attend the meeting nor did he send his representative."
"It is very unfortunate that the tribals despite being Indians nationals and permanent inhabitant of a state, are unable to live in their homeland. This is dangerous for the ethnic amity, stability and peace," the minister said.
He said: "A serious socio-economic problem has cropped up due to the long stay of the refugees in Tripura. The refugees have damaged vast areas in forests in Kanchanpur causing serious environmental problems."
"Some refugees are involved in terrorist activities. The refugees also work for cheap wages, creating an awkward situation for local labourers," the minister stated.
The Reang tribals, who call themselves "Bru", have lived in seven camps in Tripura since October 1997 when they fled western Mizoram after the killing of a Mizo forest officer triggered ethnic troubles.
Refugee leaders told Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his deputy Kiren Rijiju that they were willing to return to their homes in Mizoram if their 10 demands, including security and rehabilitation, were met.
The Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum submitted a six-page memorandum to the central ministers accusing the Mizoram government of discriminating against them.
The Mizoram government remains ambiguous on the refugees' demands, which also included free supply of foodgrain for two years, and alloting land to them. Mizo organisations have opposed the demands.
Gadar 2: 'Your hard work will pay off, Karan wishes father Sunny Deol on the release of Gadar 2
Producer-director Anil Sharma's film 'Gadar 2' has been released in theaters today. Ever since th
New Zealand PM backs Sikhs on wearing kirpans at cricket matches
Wellington, March 16 (IANS) New Zealand Prime Minister Jo
COVID-19: 1190 new corona cases in India in 24 hours, active cases reduced to 16243
1,190 new cases of corona have been reported in India. With this, the active cases of corona in t
Day 6 of cruise drugs case: Aryan Khan sent to jail by NCB, bail hearing resumes in Fort Court
Actor Shahrukh Khan's son Aryan Khan will get bail or he will have to stay in jail for 14 days, i
IND vs BAN: Will Taskin Ahmed play in the second ODI against India? Bangladesh coach replied
Taskin Ahmed was not part of the Bangladesh team in the first ODI against India. Taskin Ahmed cou
Repo Rate: 68,625 crore burden on MSME and retail customers due to increase in repo rate by 2.25%
An SBI report states that 47 percent of the total borrowers in the country are linked to the loan
The Modi government is preparing to present the first budget of its new term. This is the first b
'Zubeen Garg was poisoned,' reveals singer's friend; alleges conspiracy
There has been a new twist in the case of the death of renowned singer and icon Zubeen Garg. His
The US Air Force is rapidly increasing its fleet of strategic bombers. Meanwhile, the B-21 raider
According to the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of light to heavy rains in mos
