The recent news has seen the peaceful return of people belonging to Halam sub-tribes from Assam, where they sought refuge following clashes with Bru refugees in Tripura. They are making their journey back to their home village Damcherra in North Tripura district. The Brus had settled in Tripura in 1997, fleeing an ethnic clash in Mizoram. They have since occupied six relief camps in North District.
Understanding the Halam Sub-tribes
Halam communities are categorized as part of the scheduled tribes in Tripura. The roots of these tribes trace back to the Kuki-Chin tribes of the Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group. Their dialect is similar to that of the Tibeto-Burman family. Though referred to as Mila Kuki, Halams largely differ in terms of language, culture, and lifestyle from the Kukis.
Halams consist of several sub-clans, commonly referred to as “Barki-Halam”, such as Koloi, Korbong, Kaipeng, Bong, Sakachep, Thangachep, Molsom, Rupini, Rangkhowl, Chorai, Lankai, Kaireng (Darlong), Ranglong, Marchafang, and Saihmar. According to the 2011 Census, the total population of Halams stands at 57,210 and they are scattered throughout the state. In terms of living conditions, Halams reside in unique “Tong Ghar” houses made primarily of bamboo and Chan grass. Their lifestyle includes Jhum cultivation alongside plain land farming and other substitute professions.
The Plight of Bru Refugees
The Bru or Reang community is indigenous to Northeast India, predominantly inhabiting Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam. In Tripura, they are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group. However, they have faced severe ethnic conflicts and displacement in Mizoram, where their indigenous status is often questioned.
In 1997, approximately 37,000 Brus fled from the districts of Mamit, Kolasib, and Lunglei in Mizoram due to intensifying ethnic clashes. They were given shelter in relief camps in Tripura’s Damcherra village, which shares its borders with Mizoram. While 5,000 Brus have returned to Mizoram over eight phases of repatriation, around 32,000 still reside in six relief camps in North Tripura.
Signed Agreements and Continued Issues
In June 2018, Bru community leaders signed an agreement with the Centre and two state governments for repatriation in Mizoram. However, the agreement was rejected by most of the camp residents. This led to a quadripartite agreement signed in January 2020 by the Centre, the governments of Mizoram and Tripura, and Bru organization leaders.
Under the new agreement, the Home Ministry committed to bear the entire expense of Bru resettlement in Tripura. Each refugee family was promised a package consisting of a plot, a fixed deposit of Rs. 4 lakh, free rations, a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000 for two years, and an additional Rs. 1.5 lakh for house construction.
Complications and Controversies Surrounding Assimilation
The northeastern region of India has a long history of ethnic conflicts, not only between “indigenous” and “settlers”, but also within smaller sub-groups of the same tribe. The decision to settle Bru Tribal People in Tripura brought up questions of citizenship, especially in Assam, where a process is ongoing to define who is indigenous and who is not.
The arrangement also legitimizes foreigners’ settlement under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, increasing potential conflicts with the indigenous community as well as earlier settlers. Additionally, it may result in the loss of space and revenue for other communities in Tripura. Recent clashes along the Assam-Mizoram border have reignited discussions on inter-state border disputes.
A Look Towards the Future
Given the current condition of Brus, it is crucial the state government ensures the quadripartite agreement is enforced comprehensively. However, the interests of non-Brus communities must also be considered during the effective implementation of this agreement, to prevent future conflicts between Bru and non-Bru communities.