Fresh Confusion Arises Over Reang Refugee Repatriation

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: A notice has raised some confusion about the repatriation of Reang refugees to their ancestral home in Mizoram. The notice pertains to a tender to purchase food and other relief materials for the Reang refugees residing in North Tripura district for more than two decades.

The tender has been invited to purchase food and other relief materials for the financial year 2019-20 whereas the Union Home Ministry (MHA) has set up September 30, 2019 as the deadline for repatriation of these refugees.

The tender has caused confusion as the officials of the Mizoram Government has already completed the identification of the refugees who are to be repatriated. Besides, the MHA has also clearly ruled out any possibility of extending deadline for repatriation.

However, Sub-divisional Magistrate Avedananda Baidya has said that there is no relation between issuing notices inviting tender to purchase relief materials and the repatriation process. He said work for repatriation of refugees is going on as usual. He further said the issuing of the notice got delayed as the administration was busy with the panchayat elections.

Meanwhile, president of the Mizoram Bru (Reang) Displaced Peoples’ Forum, Suibhunga has alleged that the Mizoram government has not yet taken any step to provide security to the refugees after repatriation. He said the entire process may suffer a setback if the Mizoram Government continues with such a reluctant attitude.

Also Read: Reang Refugee Leaders in Aizawl to Meet CM Zoramthanga