Land transaction thwarted in 12 Sankhuwasabha VDCs
Official record of burnt during Maoist insurgency
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SANKHUWASABHA, NOV 18 -
Decade long armed insurgency is a thing of the past for many. But the insurgency is still taking its toll on thousands of people living in 12 VDCs of Sankhuwasabha district.
The locals of Kharang, Mamling, Aankhibhuin, Siddakali, Bana, Nundhaki, Tamaphok, Jaljala and other VDCs have been deprived of buying and selling their private land for past seven years as the authorities concerned--Land Revenue Office (LRO) and Survey Office--lack necessary office records. The offices do not have field books and survey maps for about 8,440 hectares (165,850 ropanis) in the area.
The field books and the survey maps were burnt to a cinder during the then CPN (Maoist)'s attack on government offices, including the LRO and the survey office, at Chainpur on April 27, 2002.
"The people are unable to buy and sell their land as we cannot register land without field books and survey maps," said Rajendra Pokharel, LRO Chainpur branch chief. He admitted that local people were leading a squatters' life though they had their own land and properties.
According to Pokharel, one can buy and sell land if s/he has the field book and survey map attested by LRO and survey office. Only a few people have such documents.
The victims said they have been suffering from the decade-long insurgency even after it end, and vented ire on the state for not addressing their concerns.
"Hundreds of people are unable to enjoy their right to property due to the state's inaction," said Birendra KC, former VDC chairman of Baneshwor. The locals also deprived of using the land as collateral for a loan.
Manka Kumar Karna, head of the survey office's Chainpur branch, said the survey maps for about 8,436 hectares were destroyed in the Maoist attack. He said there was no alternative but to opt for survey to prepare the field book and draw the map.
Sources said the centre has to make a policy to carry out a fresh land survey and that district-based offices do not have the means to conduct land survey, a costly and time-consuming exercise.
"Authorities should take initiatives to sort out this problem," said joint-secretary of the Nepali Congress Sankhuwasabha chapter Kumar Babu Adhikari, slamming the state for leaving hundreds of people in the lurch.
Chief District Officer Tulsi Prasad Gautam said they were studying the situation in coordination with the LRO and the survey office. "We will soon apprise the centre of the matter," Gautam assured.
Posted on: 2009-11-18 08:45
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