Newmai News Network Aizawl | July 27 The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accepted the Mizoram government’s suggestion to conduct electoral revision of Bru tribals currently lodged at six relief camps in Tripura once they return to Mizoram, according to the State Home department officials. Earlier, the ECI had instructed the state Election Commission to undertake revision of Bru voters' list in six relief camps in Tripura, which was vehemently opposed by the state government. Mizoram Home Minister, R. Lalzirliana had also told reporters earlier that electoral roll revision of Bru voters would be conducted after they return to Mizoram and that they will not be allowed to exercise franchise outside Mizoram. Principal Secretary of Home Department, Lalnunmawia Chuaungo said that the state government had suggested to the ECI that revision of electoral rolls should be undertaken after the Brus return to Mizoram from Tripura. “The commission has finally agreed to the suggestion that a revision of Bru voters' list be conducted after the Bru tribals return to their respective villages in Mizoram,” Chuaungo said. He also said that the Centre also accepted the state government suggestion to undertake identification of Bru families in six relief camps who have not been covered at the time of identification process in November 2016, after the repatriation is over. According to the principal secretary, the state government will go ahead with the roadmap for Bru repatriation as per the quadripartite agreement between the Centre, Mizoram and Tripura governments and the Mizoram Bru Displaced People's Forum (MBDPF), even if the Bru tribals are not willing to return to Mizoram. He also said that the repatriation of Bru families will commence from August 14 and is scheduled to be completed by September 10. He added that the state government, as of now, has in its hand Rs 22 crore for the Bru repatriation, and that, the Centre will sanction more fund as per requirement. As per the quadripartite made on July 3 in New Delhi, 32,857 Bru refugees from 5,413 families families would start returning to Mizoram from Tripura in August. About 4,199 families will be resettled in 48 villages in Mamit district, 824 families in 10 villages in Kolasib district and the rest 384 families in 4 villages in Lunglei district. The Centre would deposit Rs 4 lakh in the bank account of each repatriated family which could be withdrawn after three years and a housing assistance to the tune of Rs 1.5 lakh would be disbursed to each family. Each family would also be provided with a monthly assistance of Rs 5,000 for two years and free ration for the same period.
