Agartala, Sept 22 (TIWN): Amidst uncertainty, Mizoram government will begin a fresh initiative to take back the Reang tribal refugees from Tripura, said North District DM Dr. Prashanta Kumar Goyal. He informed that as part of fresh initiative 121 families from Naisingh para and Asha para is schedule to leave for their ancestral land at Mizoram’s Mammit district on September 30. “Around 37,000 Reang tribal refugees have been sheltered in six north Tripura camps since 1997 after they fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes with the majority Mizoram” said DM.

     Meanwhile, president of Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum (MBDPF) Saibunga informed that they were not informed official about repatriation of refugees, but they are aware about the development from different sources. He claimed that the families set to be repatriated are lured of better cash benefits and free ration.

     Denouncing the repatriation move MBDPF president said that earlier Mizoram government officials of Mammit district had assured that all displaced victims would be given a Rs 1.25 lakh cash and 2 years of free ration. However none of these demands were met claimed Saibunga.

        A senior official on condition of anonymity informed that continuous presence for over 16 years of refugees from Mizoram has been a matter of concern for Tripura. The long stay has its own socio – economic and law and order problems.          

      In the past, around 4,500 refugees had returned in 2010 and 2011 following continued persuasion by Mizoram and home ministry officials. Mizoram is expected to have its next legislative election in the end of November or early December this year.