The Bru tribe, also known as the Reangs, has been central to the politics of Mizoram and Tripura for over two decades now.&nbsp;

Mizoram assembly election in 2018 was historic, momentous in a way because the displaced Brus - those still living in refugee camps in Tripura for over 21 years - crossed the state border to Kanhmun village in Mamit district of Mizoram, to vote in their homeland for the first time since 1997 -- until now they were made to vote at their shelter camps in Tripura.

The Brus, a total of over 30,000 people, had to flee Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts of Mizoram around twenty-two years back due to a communal conflict with the Mizos.

The Mizos called the Brus not indigenous to the land, asking them to be stripped of their voting rights. The Young Mizo Association and Mizo Students’ Association wanted Brus to be removed from electoral rolls, calling them non-indigenous to Mizoram.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-historic-step-union-minister-amit-shah-signs-bru-agreement-to-end-over-two-decade-old-crisis-274715">In a historic step, Union Minister Amit Shah signs Bru agreement to end over two-decade-old crisis</a>

The Brus had to flee Mizoram after a Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militant allegedly killed a Mizo forest guard and the communal conflict intensified. The Bru National Union (BNU) demanded an independent tribal district. They claimed that many houses inhabited by Bru families were torched down while hundreds were killed and raped. As tensions escalated, over 32,000 Brus fled to Tripura and took shelter as refugees in camps.

For over two decades, the politics over Bru repatriation heated and mellowed down with fates of thousands of Brus in a limbo.

The repatriation process started in the year 2010 and failed over fresh communal dissent with only close to 8,000 repatriated. Former Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had initiated a deal between the Centre, the Brus and the governments of Mizoram and Tripura. In July 2018, an agreement was signed, reinforcing the commitment to repatriate over 30,000 Brus to Mizoram, also laying down guidelines of the assistance to be given to the community.

As per the 2018 agreement, the Brus were promised Rs 1.5 lakh as housing assistance, Rs four lakh for sustenance, free ration for 2 years and Rs 5,000 per month.

However, the repatriation process was interrupted again with the Brus expressing dissatisfaction with the assistance package. Some demanded the release of cash assistance in advance when the Central government maintained that Rs four lakh will be provided only after three years of uninterrupted stay in Mizoram.&nbsp;

In November 2019, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had agreed to settle the refugees in Tripura.&nbsp;

On Thursday, finally, a deal was brokered between the Mizo and Tripura chief ministers, the Bru representatives and the Ministry of Home Affairs.&nbsp;

As per the agreement, over 30,000 Bru refugees will now be settled in Tripura. The central government has sanctioned Rs 600 crore package for the same.

"Bru refugees will get a 40 by 30 feet plot along with a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per month for 2 years and free ration," Amit Shah announced today.&nbsp;

The chief ministers of Tripura and Mizoram welcomed the move.&nbsp;

"This will permanently solve the burning issue that has been going on for 25 years," said Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb described it as a "historic" step.&nbsp;

The Bru tribe, also known as the Reangs, has been central to the politics of Mizoram and Tripura for over two decades now. Mizoram assembly election in 2018 was historic, momentous in a way because the displaced Brus - those still living in refugee camps in Tripura for over 21 years - crossed the state border to Kanhmun village in Mamit district of Mizoram, to vote in their homeland for the first time since 1997 -- until now they were made to vote at their shelter camps in Tripura.

The Bru tribe, also known as the Reangs, has been central to the politics of Mizoram and Tripura for over two decades now. Mizoram assembly election in 2018 was historic, momentous in a way because the displaced Brus - those still living in refugee camps in Tripura for over 21 years - crossed the state border to Kanhmun village in Mamit district of Mizoram, to vote in their homeland for the first time since 1997 -- until now they were made to vote at their shelter camps in Tripura. The Brus, a total of over 30,000 people, had to flee Mamit, Kolasib and Lunglei districts of Mizoram around twenty-two years back due to a communal conflict with the Mizos. The Mizos called the Brus not indigenous to the land, asking them to be stripped of their voting rights. The Young Mizo Association and Mizo Students’ Association wanted Brus to be removed from electoral rolls, calling them non-indigenous to Mizoram. Also read: In a historic step, Union Minister Amit Shah signs Bru agreement to end over two-decade-old crisis The Brus had to flee Mizoram after a Bru National Liberation Front (BNLF) militant allegedly killed a Mizo forest guard and the communal conflict intensified. The Bru National Union (BNU) demanded an independent tribal district. They claimed that many houses inhabited by Bru families were torched down while hundreds were killed and raped. As tensions escalated, over 32,000 Brus fled to Tripura and took shelter as refugees in camps. For over two decades, the politics over Bru repatriation heated and mellowed down with fates of thousands of Brus in a limbo. The repatriation process started in the year 2010 and failed over fresh communal dissent with only close to 8,000 repatriated. Former Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had initiated a deal between the Centre, the Brus and the governments of Mizoram and Tripura. In July 2018, an agreement was signed, reinforcing the commitment to repatriate over 30,000 Brus to Mizoram, also laying down guidelines of the assistance to be given to the community. As per the 2018 agreement, the Brus were promised Rs 1.5 lakh as housing assistance, Rs four lakh for sustenance, free ration for 2 years and Rs 5,000 per month. However, the repatriation process was interrupted again with the Brus expressing dissatisfaction with the assistance package. Some demanded the release of cash assistance in advance when the Central government maintained that Rs four lakh will be provided only after three years of uninterrupted stay in Mizoram. In November 2019, Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb had agreed to settle the refugees in Tripura. On Thursday, finally, a deal was brokered between the Mizo and Tripura chief ministers, the Bru representatives and the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per the agreement, over 30,000 Bru refugees will now be settled in Tripura. The central government has sanctioned Rs 600 crore package for the same. "Bru refugees will get a 40 by 30 feet plot along with a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per month for 2 years and free ration," Amit Shah announced today. The chief ministers of Tripura and Mizoram welcomed the move. "This will permanently solve the burning issue that has been going on for 25 years," said Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb described it as a "historic" step.

Bru refugee agreement: How does the deal solve over two-decade-old crisis?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and representatives of Bru refugees signed a historic agreement on Thursday to end the crisis of Bru refugees. The agreement has been signed to facilitate Brus refugees' settlement in Tripura.&nbsp;

The agreement was signed in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Home Minister Amit Shah said that around 30,000 Bru refugees will be settled in Tripura as per the agreement and that the central government has sanctioned Rs 600 crore package for the same.

"Bru refugees will get a 40 by 30 feet plot along with a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per month for 2 years and free ration," Shah announced.&nbsp;

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Approximately 30,000 Bru refugees will be settled in Tripura. Rs 600 crore package has been given for this. <a href="https://t.co/yKUbYGJesP">https://t.co/yKUbYGJesP</a> <a href="https://t.co/iPuHQlLWCO">pic.twitter.com/iPuHQlLWCO</a>
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The chief ministers of Tripura and Mizoram welcomed the move.&nbsp;

"This will permanently solve the burning issue that has been going on for 25 years," said Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga.

Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb described it as a "historic" step.&nbsp;

"I want to thank the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the behalf of people of Tripura," Deb said.&nbsp;

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and representatives of Bru refugees signed a historic agreement on Thursday to end the crisis of Bru refugees. The agreement has been signed to facilitate Brus refugees' settlement in Tripura.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and representatives of Bru refugees signed a historic agreement on Thursday to end the crisis of Bru refugees. The agreement has been signed to facilitate Brus refugees' settlement in Tripura. The agreement was signed in the presence of Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Home Minister Amit Shah said that around 30,000 Bru refugees will be settled in Tripura as per the agreement and that the central government has sanctioned Rs 600 crore package for the same. "Bru refugees will get a 40 by 30 feet plot along with a fixed deposit of Rs 4 lakhs, cash assistance of Rs 5,000 per month for 2 years and free ration," Shah announced. Union Home Minister Amit Shah: Approximately 30,000 Bru refugees will be settled in Tripura. Rs 600 crore package has been given for this. https://t.co/yKUbYGJesP pic.twitter.com/iPuHQlLWCO — ANI (@ANI) January 16, 2020 × The chief ministers of Tripura and Mizoram welcomed the move. "This will permanently solve the burning issue that has been going on for 25 years," said Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga. Tripura CM Biplab Kumar Deb described it as a "historic" step. "I want to thank the Prime Minister and Home Minister on the behalf of people of Tripura," Deb said.

In a historic step, Union Minister Amit Shah signs Bru agreement to end over two-decade old crisis

Proving that age is just a number and nothing else, a significant number of people falling under the age group of 90 to 100 years, and even above, came to the polling stations to exercise their franchise in the ongoing Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Assembly polls on Wednesday.

Although a majority of these women were visibly fragile, their determination to contribute to strengthening democracy in the states was motivation enough to come out and cast their votes.

In Mizoram's Kawrthah, a 106-year-old woman arrived to cast her vote in a wheelchair along with a family member.

A number of people belonging to the Bru community including aged women queued up to vote in the Assembly elections. With a pale face and wrinkled skin, an elderly woman posed for the media showing her inked finger.

At present, over 12,000 Brus are living in six relief camps in Tripura. They are voting at Kanhmun village in Mamit district where 15 temporary polling stations have been set up. To safeguard the interest of the Bru community, special polling arrangements have been made across the state. Food and transport facilities are also being provided to those coming to vote.

In Madhya Pradesh's Agar Malwa district, a 101-year-old woman arrived at a polling booth to cast her vote.Guided by the motto of "no voter to be left behind", the Election Commission has made adequate arrangements for differently-abled persons to exercise their franchise. Volunteers have been trained to guide these people to cast their votes.

In Madhya Pradesh's Katni region, the Municipal Corporation has arranged pick-up and drop facilities for differently-abled voters.

Experts working for the upliftment of the disabled in the society believe that special machines for visually impaired and sign-language interpreters for those who cannot hear should be provided by the authorities to help them during the time of polling.

Voting enthusiasm also soared among the young minds, many of whom voted for the first time. In both the states, youngsters, including women, came out in large numbers.

A first-time woman voter standing outside a polling booth in Bhopal said that she is voting in the name of development.

"I am voting not only to contribute to democracy but also for the development of the region. It will be unfortunate for women that even after the smooth process of elections they are not exercising their franchise. Please vote to bring change in the society."

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's younger son Kunal Chouhan also voted for the first time in Budani assembly constituency earlier in the morning and urged youngsters to do the same.

Around five crore eligible voters will decide the fate of 2,899 candidates contesting for 230 seats of Madhya Pradesh Assembly. In Mizoram as many as 209 candidates are contesting for the 40-member Legislative Assembly. Results would be declared on December 11.

Proving that age is just a number and nothing else, a significant number of people falling under the age group of 90 to 100 years, and even above, came to the polling stations to exercise their franchise in the ongoing Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Assembly polls on Wednesday.

Proving that age is just a number and nothing else, a significant number of people falling under the age group of 90 to 100 years, and even above, came to the polling stations to exercise their franchise in the ongoing Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram Assembly polls on Wednesday. Although a majority of these women were visibly fragile, their determination to contribute to strengthening democracy in the states was motivation enough to come out and cast their votes. In Mizoram's Kawrthah, a 106-year-old woman arrived to cast her vote in a wheelchair along with a family member. A number of people belonging to the Bru community including aged women queued up to vote in the Assembly elections. With a pale face and wrinkled skin, an elderly woman posed for the media showing her inked finger. At present, over 12,000 Brus are living in six relief camps in Tripura. They are voting at Kanhmun village in Mamit district where 15 temporary polling stations have been set up. To safeguard the interest of the Bru community, special polling arrangements have been made across the state. Food and transport facilities are also being provided to those coming to vote. In Madhya Pradesh's Agar Malwa district, a 101-year-old woman arrived at a polling booth to cast her vote.Guided by the motto of "no voter to be left behind", the Election Commission has made adequate arrangements for differently-abled persons to exercise their franchise. Volunteers have been trained to guide these people to cast their votes. In Madhya Pradesh's Katni region, the Municipal Corporation has arranged pick-up and drop facilities for differently-abled voters. Experts working for the upliftment of the disabled in the society believe that special machines for visually impaired and sign-language interpreters for those who cannot hear should be provided by the authorities to help them during the time of polling. Voting enthusiasm also soared among the young minds, many of whom voted for the first time. In both the states, youngsters, including women, came out in large numbers. A first-time woman voter standing outside a polling booth in Bhopal said that she is voting in the name of development. "I am voting not only to contribute to democracy but also for the development of the region. It will be unfortunate for women that even after the smooth process of elections they are not exercising their franchise. Please vote to bring change in the society." Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's younger son Kunal Chouhan also voted for the first time in Budani assembly constituency earlier in the morning and urged youngsters to do the same. Around five crore eligible voters will decide the fate of 2,899 candidates contesting for 230 seats of Madhya Pradesh Assembly. In Mizoram as many as 209 candidates are contesting for the 40-member Legislative Assembly. Results would be declared on December 11.

People defy age to cast vote in Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh polls

The Election Commission of India has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees residing in Tripura at the inter-state border village of Kanhmun in Mamit district of Mizoram.

The place of voting for 11,232 Bru voters has become the most controversial issue in the run up to the Mizoram Assembly polls, leading to replacement of the Chief Electoral Officer S B Shashank in less than two weeks ahead of the elections to the 40-member House.

Shashank had reportedly facilitated voting by Bru voters in the relief camps in Tripura.

"We have been informed by the Election Commission that the polling for the Brus must be arranged at Kanhmun village inside Mizoram territory. We have started our preparations for that," an official in the CEO office told PTI.

A written order to this effect is likely to be received by the Mizoram CEO Ashish Kundra in a day or two, he said.

Kanhmun is an inter-state border village between Mizoram and Tripura.

The six camps of the Bru refugees are located between two km and 10 km from the inter-state border between Tripura and Mizoram.

"In the last three years, there was no revision of electoral rolls. This time we did that. The Bru refugees are registered in nine Assembly constituencies and we'll place different voting machines accordingly at the special booth in the village," he said.

The highest number of Brus are registered in Mamit district which has Hachhek, Dampa and Mamit constituencies with 14 per cent of the total voters being refugees.

It is followed by Kolasib district with 3.5 per cent of its total voters being Brus. The district has Tuirial, Kolasib and Serlui Assembly seats.In Lunglei district, less than one per cent of the total voters are Bru refugees.

"To smoothly carry out the entire exercise, we'll take help from our counterpart in Tripura," he said.

Accepting the demand of civil society groups, NGOs, student organisations and political parties, the Election Commission on November 15 removed Shashank as Chief Electoral Officer of Mizoram and appointed Ashish Kundra in his place.

They had protested and organised dharnas in front of the CEO's office against Shashank's reported move to facilitate voting by Bru voters in relief camps in Tripura.

They demanded that the Brus, lodged in six relief camps in Tripura after they had fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes in the state in 1997, would have to come to Mizoram to cast their votes as committed by the ECI in 2014.

Meanwhile, the All NGO Coordination Committee has urged political parties to refrain from arranging transport for Bru voters on the polling day on November 28.

According to the final electoral roll published on September 27 this year, Mizoram has 7,68,181 voters.

The Election Commission of India has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees residing in Tripura at the inter-state border village of Kanhmun in Mamit district of Mizoram.

The Election Commission of India has decided to hold polling for Bru refugees residing in Tripura at the inter-state border village of Kanhmun in Mamit district of Mizoram. The place of voting for 11,232 Bru voters has become the most controversial issue in the run up to the Mizoram Assembly polls, leading to replacement of the Chief Electoral Officer S B Shashank in less than two weeks ahead of the elections to the 40-member House. Shashank had reportedly facilitated voting by Bru voters in the relief camps in Tripura. "We have been informed by the Election Commission that the polling for the Brus must be arranged at Kanhmun village inside Mizoram territory. We have started our preparations for that," an official in the CEO office told PTI. A written order to this effect is likely to be received by the Mizoram CEO Ashish Kundra in a day or two, he said. Kanhmun is an inter-state border village between Mizoram and Tripura. The six camps of the Bru refugees are located between two km and 10 km from the inter-state border between Tripura and Mizoram. "In the last three years, there was no revision of electoral rolls. This time we did that. The Bru refugees are registered in nine Assembly constituencies and we'll place different voting machines accordingly at the special booth in the village," he said. The highest number of Brus are registered in Mamit district which has Hachhek, Dampa and Mamit constituencies with 14 per cent of the total voters being refugees. It is followed by Kolasib district with 3.5 per cent of its total voters being Brus. The district has Tuirial, Kolasib and Serlui Assembly seats.In Lunglei district, less than one per cent of the total voters are Bru refugees. "To smoothly carry out the entire exercise, we'll take help from our counterpart in Tripura," he said. Accepting the demand of civil society groups, NGOs, student organisations and political parties, the Election Commission on November 15 removed Shashank as Chief Electoral Officer of Mizoram and appointed Ashish Kundra in his place. They had protested and organised dharnas in front of the CEO's office against Shashank's reported move to facilitate voting by Bru voters in relief camps in Tripura. They demanded that the Brus, lodged in six relief camps in Tripura after they had fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes in the state in 1997, would have to come to Mizoram to cast their votes as committed by the ECI in 2014. Meanwhile, the All NGO Coordination Committee has urged political parties to refrain from arranging transport for Bru voters on the polling day on November 28. According to the final electoral roll published on September 27 this year, Mizoram has 7,68,181 voters.

Mizoram polls: Bru refugees to vote in Mamit district, says official

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Bru refugee agreement: How does the deal solve over two-decade-old crisis?

In a historic step, Union Minister Amit Shah signs Bru agreement to end over two-decade old crisis

People defy age to cast vote in Mizoram, Madhya Pradesh polls

Mizoram polls: Bru refugees to vote in Mamit district, says official