Addressing the Prime Minister, the Home Minister, and the Land Management Minister, they said, ”Are we animals?”
We use Google Cloud Translation Services. Google requires we provide the following disclaimer relating to use of this service:
This service may contain translations powered by Google. Google disclaims all warranties related to the translations, expressed or implied, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and noninfringement.
Landless Dalits, squatters and unorganized settlers of Kathmandu Valley have submitted a memorandum to the government demanding their permanent rehabilitation and ownership of their land.
The victims who were removed from Thapathali, Gairigaun, Shantinagar, Jadibuti and other areas and kept in the Radhaswamy Satsang 'Holding Center' in Kirtipur have jointly addressed the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Land Management Minister and drawn their attention.
The victims have accused the state of forcibly displacing them without proper alternatives, legal process and compensation. They complain that after demolishing the Thatthalo where they have been living for three-four generations and bringing them to the Holding Center, their lives, employment, animal husbandry and children's education have been taken away.
The victims have said that there is an acute shortage of basic health services, medicines and nutritious food in the center, and that Bheshraj Pariyar, who was dependent on the center, lost his life due to lack of timely treatment and other sick children are currently languishing in the hospital's ICU.
In addition, the memorandum states that women and children are at risk of extreme insecurity due to the lack of adequate security and privacy at the center.
Expressing serious anger at the state's behavior, the victims said in the memorandum, "We want to ask everyone concerned - are we animals? Why is it that animals are being sold and given grass in exchange for food? Don't we, the poor and suffering squatters, landless and unorganized settlers, have human rights?" If we have human rights, why has the state committed so many inhuman and cruel acts against us?' The memorandum submitted on behalf of the
Holding Center was signed by victims including Dal Mardan Kami, Harimaya Jimba, Jhawarlal Oraon, Ramkumari Rai, Menuka Gurung, Raju Ghalan, Sushila Bik, Kamali Urao, Rajkumar Majhi, Khim Bahadur Layo, Rajesh Majhi, Ranju Devi Shah, Basanta Majhi, Damar Bahadur Shrestha, Hirajra Dusad, Bal Bahadur Gurung, Chambar Bahadur Rai, Sanju Jimba, Jeevan Kumar Pahari, Kanchhimaya Ghalan, Lilambar Thada, Akshelal Paswan and Goma Kumari Ale Magar.
Objecting to the use of derogatory terms like 'encroachment' and 'mafia' by state agencies, the victims have strongly demanded that the Government of Nepal ensure permanent rights including land ownership in accordance with the law.
They have demanded an immediate halt to all eviction programs without alternative arrangements and immediate improvements in the food, health, sanitation and security of the citizens currently in the holding centers.
In addition, they say that a fair assessment of the damage to the housing, employment and human dignity of the displaced families should be carried out and a proper relief and long-term rehabilitation program should be implemented. They have also demanded an independent investigation and legal action against the officials responsible for demolishing houses without alternative and keeping citizens in inhumane conditions for months, violating constitutional rights.
Reminding that they are not criminals but citizens of this country, the victims have warned that if a concrete decision is not made within a week regarding rehabilitation including land ownership and proper arrangements, they will be forced to return to their historical settlement areas and resettle peacefully.
