The government has formed three committees and opened six reception centres and shelters for smooth repatriation of tribal refugees from the Indian State of Tripura, beginning June 8, according to an official source in Dhaka yesterday, reports BSS,

The committees which would work from the district to the highest level of the government, are: Central Coordinating Committee; Monitoring Committee and District Committee.

The understanding for ensuring rapid repatriation of the tribal refugees was reached during the visit' of Communications Minister OU Ahmed to the Indian otate of Tripura when he led a delegation in a two-day ministerial-level meeting on May 8-9. A Joint statement on the issue was published on May 10 simultaneously from the capitals of the two countries.

The government had already opened repatriation centres for the smooth return of the tribal refugees — two reception cen-tres at Ramgarh sadar thana and Tabalchharl under Palnchhari thana and four shelter camps at Khagrachhari sadar, Matiranga, Dlghinala and Manlkchhari. The repatriation will continue for three days a week, the source said.

Arrangements have been made to provide food to the repatriated refugees Immediately after their arrival at the centres. Whole-time medical teams will be available for the health care of the refugees and other necessary arrangements, including that of drinking water have been made. Voluntaty teams have been formed In each centre with local leaders and volunteers wr receiving the refugees.

Every repatriated family will be given Taka 4,800 for housebuilding and agricultural grant and Taka 200 as travelling allowance in order to make It self-supporting.

Besides 21 kgs of rice would be given free to each family every week for six months.Families which returned earlier had been given Taka 1.500 as housebuilding and agricultural grant and Taka 1OO as travelling cost.

The assistance has been increased three fold under special arrangement in view of the Inconveniences faced by the refugees.

Repatriated families would be taken to their houses with necessary security and their rehabilitation in their own land would be ensured.

Necessary steps would be taken for involving the tribal refugees In all uplift projects.

Steps have also been taken so that refugees on their return do not face any difficulty in getting back their houses and legal property.

The repatriated persons or community may contact the Thana Nirbahi Officer, Deputy Commissioner, Chairman of the Local Government Parisahd If necessary.