Mizoram’s apex student body, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) on Thursday strongly opposed to a proposal to settle the displaced Bru people in Mizo inhabited villages in Tripura North’s Jampui hills.
A statement issued by the students’ body said it has been proposed to settle the Bru people in three areas near Mizo inhabited areas in Tripura, which according to the MZP, violates the historic agreement signed on January 16 this year to amicably settle a two-decades old Bru imbroglio.
It alleged that the decision was made by the Tripura government without the consent of the Mizos, who are the original inhabitants of the areas and no factual information was given to them since the beginning.
While welcoming the Bru agreement, the MZP urged the Tripura government to reconsider and cancel the proposal for re-settlement of the displaced Brus in Mizo inhabited areas in Jampui hills in order to avoid inter-community clashes and ensure peace in the State.
It also urged the Tripura government to settle the displace Bru people in other parts of the State so that they live peaceful life and earn better living.
Earlier on May 29, Mizoram chief minister Zoramthanga had written to union home minister Amit Shah and his Tripura counterpart Biplab Kumar Deb to reconsider and cancel the proposal for settlement of displaced Brus in Mizos dominated Jampui Hills and surrounding areas in North Tripura district.
He said that the proposal could defeat the very purpose and spirit of the quadripartite signed by the Centre, governments of Mizoram and Tripura and representatives of Bru communities on January 16 as there has been ethnic tension and upheaval between the Mizos and Brus which could strike back at anytime.
Deb had reacted to Zoramthanga and said that anybody can write a letter and request, but the decision is taken by the government of the State where the issue has arisen, taking a holistic view of the situation.
“The Bru settlement was a long pending issue and finally, it was resolved after a detailed discussion under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Deb had said.