IDP Project: ACHR facilitates the largest repatriation of displaced people by an NGO

The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are symptoms of the conflicts. India has about 500,000 conflict induced IDPs. The Asian Centre for Human Rights has been working on the IDPs since its inception. It conducted extensive research from Karbi Anglong in Assam to Dantewada in Chattisgarh and made interventions for protection of the IDPs.

Since Febuary 2010, Director of the ACHR, Mr Suhas Chakma, has been acting as an interlocutor between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum to facilitate the repatriation of over 35,000 Bru IDPs from Tripura to Mizoram. ACHR has not only broken 13-year-old deadlock over repatriation of the Brus in May 2010 but also broadened the scope of rehabilitation in January 2011 to provide for a sustainable development project for the returnees to be funded by the Government of India and implemented by the Bru NGOs.

The Bru IDPs: Making of a model for repatriation, rehabilitation and resettlement?

About 30,000 remaining Bru displaced persons sheltered in Tripura have agreed to return to their homes in Mizoram following new assurances from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 5 January 2011 through the ACHR for sustainable development of the returnee Brus. Apart from Rs 80,000 cash assistance to each Bru family and one year free ration, “in case Bru Coordination Committee and Mizoram Bru Displaced Peoples Forum propose to set up a mechanism for assisting the Govt. of Mizoram in preparation of schemes for self-employment of Brus in Mizoram, Ministry of Home Affairs would support such initiative……in addition to a Special Development Project for Western Belt of Mizoram where Brus are to be resettled”. The MHA gave the new assurances in response to the Kanchanpur Agreement signed on 29th December 2010 by the pro and anti-repatriation factions of the displaced Brus through mediation of the Director of ACHR, Mr Suhas Chakma. The repatriation had resumed on 3 November 2010 but was suspended following blockade imposed by the MBDPF. ACHR also agreed to provide technical assistance for development of the sustainable development project.

Press Release:
  • About 30,000 remaining Bru IDPs agree to return, Home Ministry assures further assistance to the returnees, embargoed for 6 January 2011
    		•

    FIRST PHASE OF REPATRIATION:

    The first phase of repatriation of the Brus displaced from Mizoram in November 2009 took place between 21 May to 26 May 2010. A total of 231 displaced Bru families consisting of 1,115 persons returned to Mizoram.

    Press Release: Resumption of Bru repatriation to Mizoram welcomed, 03 November 2010
    Press Release: 154 displaced Bru families returned to their homes in Mizoram today, 21.05.2010
    Press Release: Repatriation of the displaced Brus to Mizoram to start on 21 May 2010 on Home Ministry’s assurance, 19.05.2010
    Demands of the Bru Coordination Committee submitted to the MHA through ACHR, 15.02.2010
    Written assurance of the MHA pertaining to the demands of the BCC conveyed through the ACHR, 20.04.2010
    Background: The Brus of Mizoram: Unequal, Unwanted and Unwelcome, 21 January 2010

    INDIA IDPs NEWS

  • The Sunday Indian
    Stalled repatriation of Bru refugees likely from Sept 15, 1 September 2011
  • IBN Live
    Sarkar urges Centre to intervene for repatriation of Brus, 23 March 2011
  • The Telegraph
    16 refugees die in Tripura fire, 20 March 2011
  • The Telegraph
    Goalpara camps shut as Rabhas leave - Compensation package for affected families, 2 March 2011
  • Continental News
    Violence Threatens Ministry, 24 February 2011
  • The Telegraph
    Bonhomie at peace meet
    - Rabhas and Garos resolve to live in harmony, 25 February 2011
  • The Telegraph
    Three bodies recovered, 27 January 2011
  • The Telegraph
    Pursue case against MP, 23 January 2011
  • The Sentinel
    Garo-Rabha body moves PM, blames it on political parties, church for flare-up, 23 January 2011
  • Web India 123.com
    Meghalaya govt to discuss Garo, Rabha clashes with Centre, 23 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune
    Curfew lifted from Resubelpara, 19 January 2011
  • The Indian Express
    Minor tiff led to ethnic clashes: Report, 17 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune
    Garos, Rabhas urged to shun xenophobia, 13 January 2011
  • NDTV
    North East conflict resolution in 10 days, 12 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune
    Meet to discuss steps on Rabha-Garo conflict, 11 January 2011
  • The Telegraph
    Need: conflict study unit, 10 January 2011
  • NDTV
    Fresh violence in North East; Central forces reach Assam, Meghalaya, 10 January 2011
  • The Times of India
    MHA team says Garo-Rabha clashes "well planned", 10 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune, India
    Ethnic clashes escalate, border tense, 9 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune, India
    Centre concerned over violence, 9 January 2011
  • The Sentinel, India
    Shoot-at-sight order at Dudhnoi, 9 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune, India
    30,000 people displaced in Garo-Rabha clash, 8 January 2011
  • The Sentinel, India
    Insecurity haunts riot-hit people, 8 January 2011
  • The Assam Tribune, India
    Rabha students call off economic blockade, 8 January 2011
  • The Sentinel, India
    AGP meets Governor on Garo-Rabha conflict, 8 January 2010

    • Intervention against displacement of 50,000 Rabha and Garo IDPs

    Asian Centre for Human Rights has intervened with the NHRC to provide adequate security, relief and rehabilition to about 30,000 Rabha and Garo tribals displaced in the ethnic conflict in Meghalaya-Assam border areas since 1 January 2011. The number of displaced has reached to over 50,000 at present ...read more

    Protection of IDPs in Assam, 7 July 2010

    The ACHR sought urgent intervention of the NHRC for providing humanitarian assistance to over 21,000 IDPs who have been displaced to escape ethnic violence in Haflong area in North Cachar Hills district of Assam. The NHRC in its order (NHRC Case No. 3/3/13/09-10) on 7 July 2010 informed ACHR that a total of 21,308 Dimasas and Nagas were displaced and given shelter in 45 relief camps. Apart from various assistanc, the State Government of Assam provided ex-gratia grant @ Rs.3 (three) lakhs each to all the families of 73 victims who died in the violence and Rs 10,000 per families whose house were burnt down.

    List of 73 persons killed in the violence as submitted by Assam government

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