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Bru Body Seeks Corrigendum From Tripura CM Over ‘Origin’ Remark

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Agartala
  • Oct 14, 2025
  • 574

The Bru People Organisation (BPO), representing Tripura’s Bru or Reang community, has urged Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha to issue a corrigendum after his recent public statement allegedly misrepresented the community’s ancestral origins.

The controversy stems from the Chief Minister’s remarks at a cultural event in Bagafa, South Tripura, on October 8, where he reportedly referred to the Brus as “second settlers” from the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The BPO said this description was factually incorrect and emotionally distressing for the community.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister’s Office, BPO president S. K. Msha clarified that the Bru community are “aboriginal sons of the soil” of Tripura. He said historical records affirm that before India’s partition, the ancient Kingdom of Tripura extended into areas now in Bangladesh, Mizoram, Assam, and Manipur, but the Bru people’s roots have always remained within Indian territory.

> “The Chief Minister’s statement may have been unintentional, but it has caused deep concern among our people,” Msha said, urging a formal clarification to restore confidence and social harmony.

 

The BPO appealed to Dr. Saha—currently in Delhi—to issue a corrective statement reaffirming the Bru community’s indigenous heritage, noting that “such a gesture would heal wounded sentiments and uphold historical truth.”

Background Context

The Bru community, also known as Reangs, faced displacement during ethnic tensions in Mizoram in the 1990s and were sheltered in relief camps in Tripura for over two decades. In 2020, following a landmark agreement signed in New Delhi, more than 8,000 Bru families were permanently resettled across different parts of Tripura.

Analysis

The episode underscores the sensitivity of identity politics in Tripura, a state where indigenous ethnic groups play a crucial role in both social and political dynamics. Even unintentional remarks from political leaders can evoke strong reactions, given the historical struggles of communities like the Brus for recognition and belonging.

Observers suggest that an early clarification from the Chief Minister could help defuse tensions and reinforce the state government’s commitment to inclusivity and ethnic harmony.