Non-availability of fund delays repatriation of bru refugees

Aizawl, Feb 2 (PTI) The date for commencement of thethird phase of repatriation of Bru refugees from six reliefcamps in North Tripura could not be scheduled by Mizoramgovernment due to non-availability of funds.

Hmansanga, Assistant Deputy Commissioner ofMamit district in Mizoram-Tripura border told PTI over phonethat though the Union Home Ministry had sanctioned the fundfor the repatriation expenses, it was yet to be handed over tothe district administration.

"We have completed the identification process in therelief camps but we could not proceed with the physicalrepatriation process due to non-availability of fund for thepurpose," he said.

There were some among the 221 families who returnedon their own during January last who were not included in theMizoram voters lists and were yet to be disbursed therehabilitation and resettlement money.

The state government would have no alternative but topush them back until they could prove that they were bona fideresidents of Mizoram, he said.