Rajendra Prasad Paneru/RSS

KANCHANPUR: A hoarding board installed along the main road leading to the settlement of the Freed Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) at Naukhari in Shuklaphanta Municipality in Kanchanpur district signals that the election is round-the-corner.

The board is not meant for commercial promotion. Instead, it directly addresses candidates contesting the March 5 election to the House of Representatives from the local constituency.

The board reads clearly: “When will our demands be addressed?”

Residents of the settlement erected the hoarding board listing 18 demands after expressing frustration that despite the government’s announcement of their liberation and rehabilitation more than two and a half decades ago, they continue to be deprived of the rights and services they are entitled to.

A total of 648 freed Kamaiya families have been residing in the settlement since 2058 BS.

On July 17, 2000, the government officially abolished the exploitative Kamaiya bonded labor system, declaring it illegal and cancelling all debts owed by these agricultural laborers.

Although the government claims to have rehabilitated them by providing land, residents said that they still face insecurity and restrictions in exercising full ownership rights.

Jogiram Dagaura, 50, lamented that the land allocated during rehabilitation has yet to be converted into official ownership certificate. As they are not permitted to mortgage or sell the land, he said their economic activities have been severely constrained.

Although his family received five kattha of land, legal barriers prevent him from mortgaging it to a bank or selling it which has made it difficult to start a business.

“Even when we want to start enterprises, legal provisions stop us,” he explained, urging policy reforms to address the issue.

The lack of clean drinking water remains another serious challenge. Residents reported that they are still compelled to rely on hand pumps for drinking water containing high levels of arsenic and iron, resulting in recurring health problems.

“Various health issues have surfaced in the settlement due to contaminated water. With no alternative source available, we are forced to drink unsafe water,” he lamented.

Local women also voiced dissatisfaction, stating that repeated appeals for free healthcare services go unheeded.

Mayadevi Chaudhary brought to the fore the issue of erosion caused by the Gharkatua and Sanbora rivers which, she added, threatens the settlement every year.

“We have been drawing the attention towards construction of embankments for years to protect our homes but to no avail,” she frowned.

“During the monsoon, we live in constant fear,” she said distressfully.

The settlement also lacks proper road infrastructure and an organized sewerage system.

Guardians are equally concerned about the absence of quality education in local schools. One of the key demands displayed on the hoarding board is the provision of free education up to higher levels.

Other demands include secure housing, safe road network, clean environment and protection from wild animals.

Due to limited employment opportunities in the area, many youths are compelled to seek work in Indian cities.

Ashish Chaudhary, 33, pledged that the community would support a candidate who presents a concrete plan to generate employment within the country. “We do not want to go abroad for work. We need employment opportunities in our own villages,” he admitted.

Mahadev Chaudhary, engaged in commercial vegetable farming in the locality for the past two decades, voiced concern that government grants rarely reach genuine farmers.

According to him, such benefits often go to individuals with influence or political connections.

“We need leadership that ends this practice,” he outlined the demand.

Among the demands listed are the issuance of identity cards to freed Kamaiya and Kamalaris, enrollment of workers in the social security fund and ensuring their representation in village and municipal assemblies.

Bhagiram Chaudhary, leader of the settlement, shared that candidates conducting door-to-door campaigns ahead of the election are asked to read out the demands displayed on the hoarding board at the settlement’s entrance.

“We will only vote for candidates who clearly commit to addressing our demands,” he clarified.

This time, the local community has decided to vote based on collective consultation as previous elections brought only assurances without tangible outcomes, divulged Bhagiram.

“Our demand is not merely about facilities,” he clarified. “It is about living with dignity. Even after 25 years of rehabilitation, basic services, economic opportunities and safe housing remain unfulfilled. We see this election both as pressure and as an opportunity to make our voices heard.”