Kanchanpur Violence: CM Biplab Deb gives ex-gratia to bru rehab victims families

Agartala: The Kanchanpur violence, which broke out in Tripura & Kanchanpura on November 21 left two dead and several injured. Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb on Sunday visited the family of firefighter Biswajit Debbarma, who was killed during the bru refugee rehabilitation violence. CM Biplab Deb gave the compensation money that was announced to the family of the deceased.

The CM also visited the residence of Srikanta Das, who was also shot dead during the violence. He handed over Rs 5 lakh cheque to both the families.

Along with the CM, the Deputy CM Jishnu Debbarma and Tripura Tribal Welfare Minister Mevar Kumar Jamtia also visited the families of the victims.

An indefinite strike was called by the Joint Movement Committee (JMC) in Kanchanpur sub-division from November 16. The JMC believed that the bru refugee rehabilitation resettlement of around 35,000 Brus will only destroy the already fragile ecology of the region. They were opposing the Centre's decision to rehabilitate Bru refugees from Mizoram back to Tripura. Protestors, including women, students, children were seen staging protests and demonstration in front of government offices and other places.

However, on November 21, the JMC blocked the Panisagar's National Highway 8, which led to the open firing by the security personnel to control the mob. Srikanta Das succumbed to a bullet injury, while Biswajit Debbarma was lynched by the mob.

The story of the Bru tribals dates back to the year 1997. Thousands of Bru tribals went to the neighbouring state of Mizoram after facing an ethnic conflict in Tripura. Although the relocation of these refugees from the refugee camps was seen as a major success of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government, the locals of Tripura strongly opposed to it.

The JMC is a platform which consists of the Nagarik Suraksha Mancha (Citizen Protection Forum) and Mizo Convention, who represents both the non-tribals and Lushai tribals.

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