The final repatriation of Bru refugees from the Tripura relief camps hit a hurdle on Monday when the refugees prevented Mizoram officials from entering the three camps over two issues.

The first was a protest against an alleged murder of a woman in Mizoram’s Mamit district, the refugees’ final destination, and the other was a demand for an autonomous council for Bru people.

Since the final phase of repatriation began on October 3, 52 families out of the 4,410, who have been living in Tripura for nearly 22 years as refugees, have returned to Mizoram, an official said on Monday.

But on Monday, only two families could be repatriated to Mizoram’s Kolasib district because of the protests, Mamit district deputy commissioner Lalrozama told The Telegraph.

Sources said the protest was a fallout of the death of a Bru woman, Linda Bru, who was allegedly burnt alive by her husband, identified as Vanlalvena of Tlangkhang village in Zawlnuam block of Mamit district last year.

The protesters carried placards, which read “We want Justice”, “Don’t lure our inmates to Mizoram and kill us there”.

The Bru leaders also told reporters that they were reluctant to return to Mizoram unless an autonomous district council is given to the Bru people in Mizoram.

According to plan, the Bru refugees from Naisingpara, Kaskau and Khakchangpara camps were to be repatriated to Kolasib and Mamit districts of Mizoram on Monday, Lalrozama said.

The deputy commissioner said as many as 191 people from 47 families returned to Mizoram on the first day. Of them, 42 families reached Lunglei district on Saturday and were sent to their respective villages — Dinthar (24 families), Putlungasih (9), Buknuam (6) and Chawilung “S” (3 families) on Monday.

Another six families, who were repatriated on October 3, have also reached their villages in Mamit district, he said. He said one family returned to Mizoram on October 3 and another two families on October 4. More than 210 people from 52 families have returned to Mizoram so far, Lalrozama said.

He said the repatriation will resume on Wednesday provided there is no more resistance by the refugees.

Thousands of Brus fled Mizoram and migrated to neighbouring Tripura following communal tension in 1997.

In July, Mizoram officials conducted an identification of the Bru people during which 4,410 families were identified as the bona fide residents of Mizoram.