An organisation of Bru refugees living in Tripura claimed that a four-month-old baby died in a relief camp on Monday taking the total number of people losing their lives “because of starvation” to six and three other inmates have been hospitalised.
The displaced people continued with their road blockade for the fifth day demanding resumption of free ration and cash-dole to them, which the Centre has stopped since October following commencement of the repatriation of the refugees to their homeland Mizoram.
Tripura government officials, however, said four Bru inmates of the relief camps have died so far and medical teams have been sent there.
They also said free rations and cash-dole will not be resumed as per the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Six people died and three persons were hospitalised due to deprivation of free ration and cash-dole by the Centre from October due to the ongoing repatriation scheduled to be concluded on November 30,” Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Forum (MBDPF) said.
MBDPF general secretary Bruno Msha told PTI over phone that a four-month-old girl died in Hamsapara relief camp on Monday morning.
Three persons including an elderly man and a child of Naisingpara camp died of starvation on Sunday, Msha claimed.
Two inmates of Naisingpara had died on Thursday.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Kanchanpur Abhedananda Baidya said four refugees had died since Thursday. The SDM had said on Saturday that an enquiry was being conducted to ascertain the cause of death of the two inmates of Naisingpara relief camp on Thursday.
“Two medical teams have already reached refugee camps to check the health condition of the refugees, especially the children,” Baidya said.
Tripura Additional Chief Secretary Kumar Alok also went to Naisingpara and held a meeting with refugee leaders to discuss the death of the refugees and the road blockade.
Road communication from Ananda Bazar to Kanchapur via Dasda has collapsed due to the blockade, an official said.
Mizoram officials on duty at Kanchanpur said the agitating Brus were not blocking the road targeting trucks carrying essential goods but trying to stop Mizoram officials who are there repatriate the Bru families.
In the meeting, Alok urged the Bru leaders to withdraw the blockade which has affected the people of Dasda, Ananda Bazar and its adjacent areas, at the earliest.
“As per an agreement, those who repatriate to Mizoram within the next three days
will get Rs25,000 extra. There is no question of resuming free ration to the refugees as directed by the MHA,” Baidya said, quoting Alok.