Centre should not dictate Mizoram on Bru rehab: Minister

AIZAWL: The much-delayed repatriation process of Bru refugees from Tripura to Mizoram hit another hurdle with the latter state's home minister, R Lalzirliana, voicing opposition against what he called the Centre's strong-arm tactics.
Lalzirliana protested against the Centre's order to the Mizoram government to allow representatives of Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF) - the apex body of Bru refugees living in six relief camps in Tripura - to inspect the villages in which the families will be resettled.
"Mizoram is a full-fledged state and the Centre should not try to impose its will on us as far as repatriation of Bru refugees is concerned," the minister said, adding that the Centre should respect the federal structure of the country and refrain from dictating the state government on this issue.
He, however, added, "The Mizoram government does not object to MBDPF leaders visiting the villages selected for the Bru repatriation process. They can inspect the arrangements to be made by the deputy commissioners of the chosen districts."
The minister said MBDPF's demand for the allotment of five hectare for each repatriated Bru family could not be met as the state government did not have so much land. "Annual allotment of land for jhum cultivation is in the hands of village councils. The resettled families should take up their demand for land with the respective village councils," he added.
A meeting of the State Core Committee on Bru Repatriation held on Tuesday finalized the repatriation process according to the Road Map-V for Bru Repatriation. The process of sending back the families from Tripura will begin from November.
The meeting decided that the district-level core committees of Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei would hold a joint meeting on October 31 in Mamit town to make the final arrangements.