Tripura: 13 Reang-Bru refugees charred to death

At least 13 Reang-Bru refugees from Mizoram sheltered in Naisinghpara camp in north Tripura district, nearly 200 km from Agartala, were on Saturday killed in an accidental fire, a top police official said.

"Fire broke out at nearly 12 noon and soon engulfed the camp. Thirteen charred bodies of men, women and children have been recovered so far," Deputy Inspector General Police (Control) Nepal Das told PTI.

He said the officer-in-charge of Kanchanpur police station along with the additional superintendent of police of North Tripura district were camping in the area and the rescue operation was going on.

More than 35,000 Reang-Bru refugees are now sheltered in six camps in Kanchanpur sub-division of Tripura. They migrated to Tripura following ethnic clashes with Mizos over land issues since 1997.