With the Covid-19 pandemic severely affecting daily life and resulting in widespread lockdowns, two community-specific groups reignited their resistance against the intended permanent settlement of Bru refugees in Tripura. The groups are known as Nagarik Suraksha Mancha, generally representing Bengali people displaced from the former East Pakistan post-partition in 1947, and the Mizo Convention. They have presented a memorandum in protest of the proposed settlement.
Understanding the Bru Community
The Bru or Reang community is native to Northeast India, predominantly inhabiting the regions of Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam. In Tripura, they have distinctive recognition as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). However, in Mizoram, they face an uphill battle for acceptance due to groups that deny their indigenous roots.
The Bru Displacement and Resistance
In 1997, a wave of ethnic conflicts led to approximately 37,000 Brus fleeing from Mamit, Kolasib, and Lunglei districts in Mizoram. These displaced individuals found some respite in relief camps set up in Tripura. While approximately 5000 returned to Mizoram in eight different phases of repatriation, a significant number still inhabit the relief camps in North Tripura.
A Controversial Agreement
In June 2018, a notable development occurred when leaders from the Bru camps agreed on a pact with the central government along with the state governments of Tripura and Mizoram, highlighting provisions for their repatriation in Mizoram. However, this agreement failed to win favor amongst the camp members who felt that the pact did not guarantee their safety upon returning to Mizoram.
The Quadripartite Agreement
Fast-forward to January 2020, another crucial agreement was signed by the Centre, the governments of Mizoram and Tripura, and leaders of Bru organizations. This quadripartite agreement allowed the remaining 35,000 refugees to be resettled in Tripura. To facilitate their integration, the deal included a rehabilitation package comprising financial assistance of ₹4 lakh and land for each family to build their home.
Understanding Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)
The tribal population comprises 8.6% of India’s total population. Within this demographic, PVTGs are considered the most vulnerable. The Dhebar Commission established a separate category named Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) in 1973, identifying them as less developed tribal communities. In 2006, the Indian Government rechristened PTGs as PVTGs.
Characteristics defining PVTGs include homogeneity, small population size, physical isolation from mainstream society, the absence of a written language, comparatively primitive technology, and a slower pace of societal change. Among the 75 listed PVTGs, the highest concentration is found in Odisha.
