ProMASS News
Agartala, November 07, 2019: Tripura Government will provide rations to inmates of Bru refugee camps, announced Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varman today in Kanchanpur under North Tripura district.
Responding to the announcement positively, agitating Bru refugees agreed to withdraw the week-long road blockade agitation.
Bru refugees blocked vital roads under Kanchanpur in North Tripura demanding immediate resumption of ration facilities. The facilities were stopped by the Central Government on September 30 last as per agreement for repatriation of Bru refugees to their native villages in Mizoram. The process started on October and will continue till end of November. Meanwhile, severe food crisis in relief camps prevailed even as repatriation process was undergoing.
Addressing the agitators, Dev Varman clearly said BJP-IPFT government seeks solutions to every problem – not try to stir up problems against a problem.
“You withdraw the road blockade, ration supplies will resume – the State government – it is not the Central Government – will shoulder the responsibility of supplying rations to you”, declared Dev Varman amidst thundering claps and cheers.
Led by Deputy Jishnu Dev Varman, a Ministerial team comprising State Tribal Welfare Minister Mebar Kumar Jamatia, Social Welfare Minister Santana Chakma and Education Minister Ratan Lal along with MPs – Pratima Bhoumik and Rebati Tripura held meeting with agitating Bru leaders.
Defiant Bru refugees continued their agitation, even after State Government through local administration assured Rs 25000 as additional assistance to early returnees couple of days ago. The impasse, at last, ended after Dev Varman led team assured resumption of ration supplies.
Reacting on outcome of the meeting, Bru leaders also expressed satisfaction.
Assuring necessary help relating to repatriation issues, Dev Varman said, blocking the road is not a wise option as it is not good for the society and indigenous people. Problems can not be solved with conflicts, co-operation is needed to address an issue.
“We have invited Bru leaders to Agartala and we will hold discussions with stakeholder to find solutions of Bru refugees – You are suffering for 22 years whereas our government is only 18 months old. Yet, We – the ministers and MPs – have come to you. We will certainly be able to find out solutions”, he added.
Speaking to media, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government was well aware about deaths and hospitalization of some Relief camp inmates – “We don’t know how some people related death with prevailing food crisis”, he commented.
