Interests of locals should be protected while resettling of displaced Brus: CPI(M)

 With shutdown called by a joint forum of local ethnic civil societies entering its fifth day on Friday at Kanchanpur in protest against proposed "large-scale" resettlement of displaced Brus from Mizoram in area, opposition CPI(M) in Tripura said ruling dispensation should protect interests of locals.

state government is solely responsible for indefinite general strike called by Joint Movement Committee (JMC), comprising Nagarik Suraksha Mancha and Mizo Convention, in sub-division in protest against proposed resettlement of 6,000 Bru migrants in area, party said in a statement on Thursday.
 

"While earmarking areas for resettlement, areas with forest cover and unutilized Khas or government lands should be given preference", statement said.

Bru issue h started in September 1997 following demands of a separate automous district council, by carving out areas of western Mizoram joining Banglesh and Tripura.

About 30,000 Bru tribals h n fled Mizoram due to ethnic tension re and took shelter in refugee camps in Tripura. first attempt to repatriate Brus was me in vember 2009 by Centre along with governments of Tripura and Mizoram. However, effort h met with little success.

Centre signed a fresh agreement in January this year according to which Brus who stayed back in Tripura relief camps will t be forced to return. Centre sanctioned Rs 600 crore as a rehabilitation pack for displaced Brus as a final solution to vexed problem after agreement.

" BJP-led government in rastern state signed a quripartite agreement in January this year to settle Bru refugees in Tripura without even having courtesy of discussing issue with main opposition party of state", statement said.

CPI(M) also urged state government to give a chance to protestors to place ir demands before authorities.
 

We expect a meeting between demonstrators and government to be held immediately. At meeting, government must pay heed to demands of locals. ir views should be given some respect, statement said.

Due to strike, vehicles did t ply, markets and business establishments remained closed and attendance in government offices was thin in sub-division of rth Tripura district on Friday.

Strike supporters, including women and children, organized protest rallies and demonstrations in front of government offices and markets.

JMC chairman Zairemthiama Pachuau h told newsmen recently that rth Tripura district magistrate h assured that 1,500 families would be settled in area.
 

"But w government is trying to settle 6,000 families," he said.

(IM CREDITS: PTI)