Mizoram to Take Back Refugees From Tripura

Agartala, Oct 28 : Following continuous agitation and memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Centre has directed the Mizoram government to take back Reang refugees, lodged at makeshift camps in North Tripura for over 13 years.

Officials here today said Mizoram Home minister R Lalzirliana announced to begin the repatriation process from November 18 and IN the beginning 50 families would be taken back to Kolalian village in Mamit district.

There was ambiguity over the number of refugees amping in Tripura though the refugee leaders claimed that as many as 35000 Reangs were residing in the camps at present.

However, the Lalthanhawala government gave no assurance over how many such families would be repatriated, refugee leaders alleged.

According to report, repatriated families would be provided temporary housing besides cash dole of Rs 38,000 for construction of new houses and initially they would be rehabilitated in 46 villages of Mamit, Lunglei and Kolashib districts.