The recent outburst of heated protests in Northern Tripura has sprung due to the proposed resettlement of Bru tribals. In the Northeast of India, the Bru or Reang community is indigenous and primarily resides in Assam, Tripura, and Mizoram. They are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Tripura, but have been subjected to prejudice in Mizoram. After 37,000 Brus were displaced from Mizoram’s districts in 1997 due to ethnic clashes, they were placed in relief camps in Tripura. Over time, around 5,000 returned to Mizoram, while as of now, about 32,000 of them still inhabit six relief camps in North Tripura.
2020 Agreement on Resettlement of Brus
In January 2020, a pact was signed between the Centre, the two state governments, and representatives of the Bru community. This agreement aimed to allow the remaining 32,000 Brus to permanently settle in Tripura. Since the agreement, there have been plans to establish 12 resettlement locations in six districts, accommodating 300 families each. The Centre announced a special development project financed with Rs. 600 crore. Each family will receive an estimated 0.03 acres of land for home building, Rs. 1.5 lakh as housing assistance, and Rs. 4 lakh as a one-time cash benefit for sustenance. On top of this, families would be given a monthly stipend of Rs. 5,000 and food provisions free of charge for a period of two years after resettlement.
Public Backlash against the Agreement
Despite the seemingly positive intentions of the 2020 agreement, it has resulted in widespread protests from Bengali and Mizo groups in Tripura. Their concerns revolve around the potential permanent settlement of a large number of migrants in Kanchanpur sub-division of North Tripura district. Protestors argue that this could lead to a demographic imbalance, increased load on local resources, and potential law and order issues. There are allegations that many Bengali and Mizo families who were displaced due to previous conflicts with Brus have not yet been sufficiently resettled.
Conditions Faced by the Bru Tribal Community
The protesting against the proposed resettlement has resulted in economic blockade for the Brus, who are living in fear and uncertainty. The ongoing demonstration has affected their access to basic food provisions as per their relief package. If protests continue without resolution, the conditions for the Bru community, already vulnerable and displaced, may deteriorate further. Therefore, safeguards and a feasible solution need to be established to ensure the well-being of this indigenous tribe while also addressing the concerns expressed by the protesting groups.