15 Reang families repatriated

Silchar, Jan. 13 : The third phase of repatriation of Bru refugees to Mizoram from refugee camps in adjacent Tripura started today after a gap of two months.

Official sources in Aizawl said at least 15 Bru families were transported to the Mizoram-Tripura inter-state boundary in a bus under adequate security arrangements. The refugees were allowed to pass into Mizoram through the Mamit border.

It was a joyous homecoming for this batch of refugees, who had left their homes in Mizoram in 1997, in the wake of an ethnic clash between Mizos and the minority Reang community in October that year.

The repatriation process will continue for the next three days, and more Bru families are expected to cross the border and go back to their homes during this period, the sources added.