Chidambaram to visit Mizoram, Assam Monday

AIZAWL - Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram will visit Mizoram and Assam starting Monday to review the security situation and the on-going action against terrorism in the two northeastern states, officials said here Sunday.

“Chidambaram will fly to Mizoram’s capital Aizawl Monday morning and then go to Mamit district in western Mizoram for inspection of the settlement of tribal refugees returning from relief camps in Tripura,” an official told reporters.

On the home ministry’s advice, Mizoram Friday started taking back around 1,000 Reang tribal refugees from relief camps in Tripura where they were living since November last year after fleeing their homes following ethnic clashes.

Around 1,000 tribal refugees would be repatriated in three batches by May 26.

However, the fate of more than 30,000 refugees who fled Mizoram and took shelter in six relief camps in Tripura 13 years ago still hangs in balance.

The official said the home minister will hold a meeting in Aizawl with Governor M.M. Lakhera, Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla and top officials to review the security situation.

Chidambaram is expected to meet the tribal leaders and district officials in Mamit district, adjoining Tripura, about the resettlement of the displaced Reang tribals.

From Aizawl, the home minister will Tuesday go to Assam’s main city Guwahati and will meet Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and top civil and security officials.

“Chidambaram would discuss with the Assam government the issue of peace talks with ULFA (United Liberation Front of Asom). He is likely to inquire about the inputs gathered from ULFA leaders who were now under judicial custody after being handed over by the Bangladesh government,” the official said, requesting anonymity.