ComDiaints before the Commission Reangs started with about 10,000 people in October 1997, the number had gone up to 30,000. The Government of Tripura was finding it difficult to bear the burden, though they were being financially helped by the Government of India. They mentioned that efforts made to persuade the refugees to return to Mizoram had failed. The Government of Assam, in its reply, stated that some families had gone into the Karimganj and Balkandi districts of Assam, and were living there in forest villages, earning their living by labour on daily wage basis. No refugee camps had been set up. However, medical aid was being provided. The Government of Mizoram, in its reply, stated that the administration was making efforts to take action against the local Mizos who had indulged in the burning of houses of some Reang families. It was the demand of the Group National Union of the Reangs for an autonomous district council, and the murder of a Mizo forest guard by suspected Bru-Reang militants, which led to violence between the two communities. Some arrests had been made in this regard. The refugees had been requested by the Home Minister of Mizoram to return, and they were also given Rs. 2,000/- for reconstruction of their houses and a week's ration. However, some of the Reangs received the amount and again went back to the refugee camp in Tripura. The Ministry of Home Affairs also confirmed this position and stated that the matter was being closely monitored. Shri Sudarshan Agarwal, Member, NHRC, and Shri R.C. Jain, Registrar General, visited the spot to make an assessment of the situation. The Special Rapporteur, Shri Chaman Lai, was also deputed to meet the Reang refugees and make a report on their problems. According to his report, there were certain inadequacies in the arrangements made at the refugee camps. The Special Rapporteur made certain recommendations to improve the situation. Shri Agarwal, Member, NHRC, held a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Tripura, and other concerned officers, who were requested to implement the recommendations of Shri Chaman Lai on a time-bound basis. The Member, NHRC, also held separate meetings with the petitioners, who emphasised the urgency for the settlement of the issue, since they had serious apprehensions about their security in Mizoram. The Member, NHRC, subsequently held meetings with the Chief Secretaries of the three States and the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. It was made clear to the Government of Mizoram that there is a specific provision in the Mizoram Accord regarding the protection of rights and privileges of the minorities, and their economic and social development by the Government of Mizoram. The Ministry of Home Affairs assured the Government of Mizoram that para-military forces in adequate strength would be provided to the Government for ensuring the safety and security of the repatriated families. The Government of Mizoram was reminded of their constitutional obligation to take back the refugees and ensure their peaceful settlement in the villages. 145