Silchar April 1: The decks have at last been cleared for the repatriation of Bru (Reang) refugees from Tripura to Mizoram with the Centre and the two state governments agreeing on their unconditional return.

About 29,000 refugees, victims of riots in Mizoram in 1997, are staying in seven camps in North Tripura district.

A Mizoram government spokesman today said repatriation and rehabilitation would be carried out in several phases within six months as soon as the Centre makes available funds necessary for the process.

He said Rs 1.25 lakh would be required per refugee.

Mizoram was not very keen to accept more than 15,000 of the 37,000 evacuees, as the many among them did not have their names in the voters rolls. But the Congress government relented following a Supreme Court verdict.