Demand for immediate Bru refugee repatriation is gaining momentum across Kanchanpur sub-division in North Tripura.
Enewstime.in News
Agartala, Decemeber 14, 2019: Indefinite Bazar Bandh called by ‘Nagarik Unnayan Manch’ and Bazar Committee in Kanchanpur under North Tripura entered into second day today. The bandh was primarily called demanding immediate repatriation of Bru refugees from Kanchanpur to Mizoram.
In the backdrop of successive bandhs, Manch and Bazar Committee relaxed the Bandh for two hours today so that people can buy essential commodities. Even as vehicles were left out of Bandh, roads looked deserted and only a few vehicles ran during the day, sources said.
Manch and Bazar Committee leaders claimed, the Bandh was successful across the sub-division and demand for immediate Bru refugee repatriation is gaining momentum across Kanchanpur sub-division in North Tripura.
“Huge resentment is brewing among the local people against the Bru refugees as these refugees are causing troubles disturbing peace in the sub-division”, agitating shop owners alleged.
Venting anger against the Bru refugees, members of Manch and Bazar Committee said, soon after the Bru refugees
were allowed to stay in relief camps under the subdivision in 1997, local people are facing threats and many of the Bengali families were evicted from their houses due to atrocities and crimes committed by the Bru refugees.
“Enough is enough – these trouble makers must leave Kanchanpur”, demanded Manch members. “In Kanchanpur people, irrespective of ethnicity, were living peacefully. However, every time, Bru refugees are spoiling the peace in the sub-division and triggering tension and panic among the local people. We want them to go back. Our Bandh will continue till our demand is being met”, Manch leaders said.
Even as Bru repatriation issue is not within the purview of local administration, the strike and overwhelming
opposition against the Bru refugees have put the local administration in a serious fix, at least as far as restoring
normalcy is concerned.
Referring to recent violence and looting in Anandabazar during anti-CAB strike on December 12 last, traders
alleged, Bru refugees were involved in unleashing mayhem in markets under the sub-division – especially on December 12 in support of Anti-CAB strike.
“The situation in Kanchanpur sub-division is highly sensitive now – concerned authority needs to tackle the situation and Government should step in immediately”, opined social activists of Kanchanpur.
