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Dignity came after years of insult
KOHALPUR (BANKE), JUL 17 -
After 10 years of emancipation, 834 families of freed Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) in Kohalpur are living a life of dignity.
These freed Kamaiyas feel they are liberated in the true sense. With no loan to repay or uncertainty of residence, they are now owners of land that the government provided them at Chauraha.
They were putting up at Rajena and Naubasta before the government gave them a place to settle on at the recommendation of the political parties. Each plot of land that the government endowed a Kamaiya family has a market rate of at least Rs. 1.2 million.
“To begin with, I, as well as others, set up a hut here without authority. After Janaandolan II, the government gave us land ownership certificates,” said Phulram Tharu, a leader of the Kamaiyas.
Locals, however, protested the government decision saying settlement of the Kamaiyas will ruin the beauty of the town. The Kamaiyas, however, are not allowed to sell the land for 10 years.
Without any tangible source of income, most Kamaiyas pull rickshaw or work as masons and carpenters for livelihood. “We are happy, though, that we have our own houses to live in now,” said Laxmi Tharu.
The Kamaiya neighbourhood is linked with roads. There are about 20 water taps and schools nearby. “We struggled all our lives as Kamaiyas. Now, I want to see my children live the good life,” said 64-year-old Jodhani Tharu.
Posted on: 2010-07-18 08:19
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