As part of the Maoist-launched campaign beginning May 16, the party has captured hundreds of bighas of land in Daulatpur and Belawa VDC. [break]
The Maoist-affiliated Rastriya Bhumi Adhikar Manch said it has captured land from those people who sold their original properties and bought other properties. It has also said that the landless must get lands and the government has already compensated the displaced families.
The victims, most of whom are farmers, have lodged complaints at the District Police Office arguing that their land has been captured at a time of rice plantation. Whereas the Maoists have claimed that the land has been confiscated from landlords.
Most land has been captured in Beluwa and Rajpur VDCs. Ram Singh Tharu, a local of Belawa, said, “They (Maoists) have threatened to kill me if I talk about the land. Who will protect me?”
Maoists´ Bardiya sub-in-charge Keshab Poudel said, “The state has committed to settle and compensate the landless.”
The police have said that it will take action as per the complaints filed by the victims. It has, however, urged the parties to settle the disputes amongst themselves.
Chairman of the Manch Phularam said that in Belawa VDC alone there are 60 families of landless squatters. He said the land will remain in the possession of the Manch unless the government comes with an alternative.
Nepali Congress district committee member Malati Sodari claimed that land has been confiscated from only NC and UML cadres. She said, “The Maoists don´t take away land of those families close to their party.”
Related story
Here's why Arjun Kapoor is on hat spree these days
