“Previous govts never cared about Bru Reang refugees”: Amit Shah in Tripura

Agartala (Tripura) [India], December 22 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday criticised the previous CPI-led governments in Tripura, accusing them of neglecting the development and settlement of the Bru-Reang community in the state. He alleged that these governments failed to address the plight of the Bru-Reang refugees.

Praising the current BJP-led government in Tripura, Shah highlighted its efforts in rehabilitating and settling the Bru-Reang community. He noted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration has provided facilities such as camps, drinking water, roads, pucca houses, schools, healthcare services, gas cylinders, and other essential amenities.

Addressing the Conference of Cooperatives event, Shah said, “Earlier, there was a government that claimed to represent tribals, the poor, and the marginalised, but it did not care about the Bru-Reang refugees. The BJP government was formed in Tripura in 2018, and PM Modi became Prime Minister for the second time in 2019. By 2020, the BJP had made comprehensive arrangements for the rehabilitation of these refugees, including camps, drinking water, roads, pucca houses, schools, healthcare services, gas cylinders for each household, 5 kg of food grains for each refugee, Rs 5 lakh in healthcare benefits, and electricity for every home.”

He added, “Today, we have also arranged for their secondary education. They were living in adverse conditions. They are citizens of this nation and deserve a good life with basic amenities. However, during the tenure of the Laal Sarkar (CPI governments), the Bru-Reang community was denied their rights. It was the Kamal Phool Sarkar (BJP government) that finally ensured they received their due.”

Earlier in the day, Shah emphasised the BJP government’s efforts to settle 40,000 members of the Bru-Reang community in Tripura, ensuring access to education and clean water.

Shah also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth Rs 668.39 crore at the Kulai RF Village Ground in Dhalai district.

On Saturday, Shah urged chief ministers, governors, and the people of the northeast to work tirelessly to make the region drug- and addiction-free within the shortest possible time.

Addressing the 72nd Plenary of the North Eastern Council (NEC) in Agartala, he said, “During the past few years, this region has emerged as a major corridor and consumption centre for highly addictive and contraband drugs. A lot has been achieved in the last six years, but the pace needs to increase. I urge the chief ministers, governors, and people of the northeast to make every effort to make the region drug-free. We must work together to eliminate this menace. The ultimate goal is to make the entire nation drug-free.”

Shah further stressed the importance of ensuring that every citizen of the northeast enjoys the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

He also outlined the government’s multi-pronged approach to improving security in the region. “In the past 10 years, we have implemented state-specific strategies, and as a result, the police, army, Assam Rifles, and Central Reserve Police Force have collectively succeeded in establishing a robust system. This has led to a 31% reduction in violent incidents and an 86% decrease in civilian deaths over the past decade. Around 10,574 militants have surrendered, and numerous agreements have been signed,” Shah said during the NEC plenary session.