Agartala, Nov. 17: Despite a slowdown in the influx of terror-stricken Reang tribals from neighbouring Mizoram, tension continues to grip large tracts of Jampui and Sakhantang hills dotted with 10 Mizo-dominated villages.

There was no influx yesterday, though police sources from Kanchanpur subdivision said several groups of families had been sighted trickling into the forest areas of Karimganj.

Around 8.30 last night, taking advantage of the slack vigil along the 109-km-long Tripura-Mizoram border, 11 more Reang families poured into bordering Monpui village in the Jampui hills. The Speaker of Mizoram Assembly, Romaoia, and minister for health and family welfare Lalhingriano Sailo are expected to visit the Jampui hills soon to help defuse the situation.

The superintendent of police (North), Dipak Kumar, who has kept a strict vigil on Kanchanpur subdivision, especially the Jampui and Sakhantang hill areas, said no untoward incident has occurred so far.

“The tension is quite palpable because the Reang people who have just arrived are sullen; the Mizos of Jampui and Sakhantng hills have also restricted their movement out of villages. We have tightened security around the villages,” said Dipak Kumar.

He lauded the Young Mizo Association of Jampui which has contacted the leaders of Young Bru (Reang) Association. “They have been distributing relief among the refugees and this has helped defuse tension,” Kumar said.

The situation, however, has turned worse in Mizoram as Elvis Chorkhy, president of the Mizoram Displaced Bru Peoples Forum, said Mizos in Naljons, Darlak and Vonva villages in Mamit district were forcing Reang tribals to take out processions condemning their brethren.