Mizoram CM Zoramthanga's letter adds new twist to Reang refugee rehab controversy

A CORRESPONDENT

AGARTALA: A letter written by the Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga to his Tripura counterpart Biplab Kumar Deb has added a new dimension to the ongoing controversy over rehabilitation of the Reang refugees as many described it as surprising.

Zoramthanga in his latter expressed concern over the proposed resettlement of Reang refugees in Jampui Hills of Kanchanpur sub-division, which is traditionally inhabited by the Mizos.

Citing ethnic tensions between the Mizos and the Brus (Reangs), both in Mizoram and Tripura, he said that any strain in Tripura between the two communities will have repercussions in Mizoram and vice-versa. In view of this, he requested the Chief Minister of Tripura not to rehabilitate the Brus in Jampui Hills and its adjoining areas.

The Union Home Ministry had signed an agreement on January 16, 2020 that over 33,000 Reangs who were evicted from Mizoram more than two decades ago will be rehabilitated in Tripura. Accordingly, the State government selected 11 places where these Reang refuges will be resettled.

Recently, the officials of the State administration along with Reang refugee leaders started visiting the proposed locations which was met with severe protest by the locals. Amid serious protest, the officials had to abandon their visits in Chailengta and Manu areas where thousands of people staged a demonstration.

On Friday, a team of officials tried to visit a proposed location in the Jampui Hills in Kanchanpur, mostly inhabited by the Mizos and faced similar demonstrations. The officials returned and the Sub-Divisional Officer Chandni Chandran told the agitating leaders that the District Magistrate will call a meeting on June 3 to discuss the matter.

She also assured that all the stakeholders in the controversy will be invited to the meeting.