Earlier we would put blame on the central government for everything. Now we have heard that the local government will hold much of the authority. Since we expect a lot from it, we want to elect capable representatives.

Bhukali Chaudhari, Dhangadi, Kailali

DHANGADI, June 26: The government abolished the kamaiya system in 2001 freeing thousands of bonded laborers from the traditional practice of slavery. In 2006, kamalari, female bonded labors, were emancipated following a similar announcement. The freed laborers were promised facility and means that would enable them to lead a dignified life. Community forest areas were provided for their settlement and huts were built. Better was yet to come, they expected. 

However, a decade has passed and the freed laborers are still in the lurch. They allege that the government took away whatever support they had and replaced it with literally nothing. At least they were taken care of by landlords for whom they used to work, were provided with food and shelter, health care, they argue. “After being freed from the bondage, we became no one's responsibility,” lamented Sitaram Chaudhari. “Some have luckily been able to make out a way for themselves and are earning their livelihood. But most of the former kamaiya Tharu families here are suffering a lot,” he lamented. 

The laborers basically represent Tharu and Mushahar communities. Even though they are indigenous people of the far west, many of them still lack their own land and house.

According to Chaudhari, not all Tharu children go to school even today. “Due to our dependency on landlords we were poor people earlier. Even now, little change has come in our lives,” he said. 

Election fever has gripped Dhangadi and other areas of Kailali. Top leaders are making appearance and delivering speeches to woo the public. Chaudhari said that freed kamaiya and kamalaris is an influential vote bank. So, political parties are trying to woo them by making promises that have been made by the same leaders many times before on various occasions. “But the problem is, once the election is over, leaders completely forget their promises,” he noted. 

Chaudhari stated that the grievances of the freed laborers cannot be addressed without the state's political will. He further added that all they want the government is to provide basic facilities in their settlement and a long term plan for their development. 

“We were told to settle down in jungles. Trees were cut down so that we could make our huts. But then they didn't provide electricity, drinking water or sanitation facilities. We have been living without health care and employment opportunities,” he narrated. 

Bhukali Chaudhari from Dhangadi Sub-metropolitan City said that voters like him were still undecided. Since local body is going to be powerful post election, voting the right person or right party is very important for us, he said. 

“Earlier we would put blame on the central government for everything. Now we have heard that the local government will hold much of the authority. Since we expect a lot from it, we want to elect capable representatives,” Bhukali stated. 

The prerequisites for selecting candidate are availing electricity lines, extending road network and provide drinking water in their settlement, he explained. “We have been given two katthas of land. But the wait for other facilities has been too long. Now, we are accessing various candidates' caliber and potential to deliver these demands if they are elected,” he said. 

His neighbor Chunuki Chaudhari has the same view. Whoever seems to deliver the election pledges of developing their settlements would get her vote, she affirmed. She stated that she had to spend Rs 10,000 to get wires of electricity to her home as there were no poles placed by the government. “Everything comes for higher cost when infrastructures are not available. We have decided to vote for a genuine candidate who will really work for us,” she said. 

Ram Chaudhari said that condition of former kamaiya families is pathetic. But no leaders have come to visit them other than during elections, he said. 

“We live in very hot place. People here cannot tolerate the heat even when fan and cooler are turned on. But in our settlement we have no electricity. Even though some have bought it for very high price, it is not suffice,” he lamented. 

When the government abolished the kamaiya system, 27,000 kamaiyas from Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya and Dang districts were freed. According to Basanti Chaudhari of Dhangadi, 8910 Kamaiyas were from Kaliali alone. “Even now, around 500 former kamaiya families are yet to get land,” she said. 

 
• former kamaiyas
 
• candidate
 
• demands
 
• second phase
 
• local polls