Tripura CM Biplab Deb gives ex-gratia to victims' families in Kanchanpur

AGARTALA: Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb recently distributed ex-gratia to the families of two persons who died in the aftermath of the State government's move to resettle the Bru refugees who had returned from Mizoram.

The Chief Minister visited the family of firefighter Biswajit Debbarma, who was killed during the Bru refugee rehabilitation violence. The CM 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.

The Kanchanpur violence, which broke out in Tripura & Kanchanpura on November 21 left two dead and several injured.

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 rehabilitation resettlement of around 35,000 Bru refugees will only destroy the already fragile ecology of the region.

They were opposing the Centre's decision to rehabilitate the Bru refugees from Mizoram.

The protestors, including women, students, children were seen staging protests and demonstration in front of government offices and other places.

On November 21, the JMC blocked the National Highway-8 at Panisagar, which led to the open firing by security personnel to control the mob.

Subsequently, while Srikanta Das succumbed to his bullet injuries, Biswajit Debbarma was lynched by the mob.

The row over the resettlement of the Brutribals can be traced to 1997. Thousands of Brutribals 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 have been strongly opposing it. (Agencies)

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