Mizoram Home minister R Lalzirliana while addressing civil society organisations and political parties on the ongoing repatriation of Bru refugees at his office in Aizawl on Wednesday stated that 1995 Electoral Roll is used for identification of Brus in Mizoram. The entry of their decedents in the subsequent years was also traced out for determination of indigenous Brus of Mizoram. He also told them that the process of repatriation is delayed because of fund constraint and creation of law and order problem by the Bru community. The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) on the other hand reiterated that their stand regarding determination of indigenous Bru is 1995 Electoral Roll. In a press release, the MZP said, this is the decision made earlier in a joint meeting of NGOs and political parties. The MZP also expressed grave concern over the lifting of Protected Area Permit (PAP) by the Centre and described it as a prelude to lifting of Inner Line Permit (ILP).
Meanwhile, 37 Bru refugee families consisting of 195 persons brought back to Mizoram during the latest repatriation on Tuesday last and they have been resettled in 8 villages in Mamit district.
Referring to border disputes with the neighbouring states, the Home minister said, the state government is exerting maximum effort to prevent encroachment of the boundaries.
The meeting held in the Home minister’s office was attended among others by representatives of Central YMA, Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP) women body, Mizoram Upa Pawl (MUP), elderly association, Mizoram Peoples Forum (MPF) and Mizoram Kohhran Hruiatu Committee (MKHC), an organisation of leaders of various churches denomination.