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Kathmandu Tuesday July 11, 2000 Ahsad 27, 2057.
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Kamaiyas speak their heart
By a Post Reporter
KATHMANDU, July 10 - We did not get enough to eat; the
landlord did not care when we felt sick; we only know how we survive. We are suffering a
lot; we have no house; we have been working as Kamaiyas (bonded labourers) from
generations; we are here in the hope of emancipation, said Kamaiyas here today.
They were answering to the queries raised by the participants
in an interaction programme on Kamaiyas speak about the Kamaiya Mukti Andolan organised by
Martin Chautari here today.
"My sister lost her life while building zamindaar’s
house," said a Kamaiya Raj Dev Chaudhary, "but he (zamindaar) did not provide
any compensation." Another Kamaiya Ramesh Magar said, "Unless we get a written
letter of emancipation from the landlord, we do not feel like emancipated."
"Zamindaar Sidda Nath Pant of Geti VDC sold my young
daughter somewhere in Gopraila at Mahendranagar and increased sauki up to Rs 98,000,"
said another Kamaiya Thapa Chaudhary.
Another Kamaiya Ram Prasad Chaudhary of Ram Shikhar Jharko
VDC expressed his disappointment saying, "Zamindaar Jaisur Deuba battered me when I
expressed inability to pay sauki (debt)."
These were among the 10 Kamaiyas present today who were among
the ones who after refusing to work for the landlord, had come to BASE for help. BASE
provided them food for the first ten days and provided them with money equivalent to
tentative one month rent.
"Now, I work as a daily wage labourer and earn about Rs
60-80 a day," said Hira Devi Choudhary. Now, they are involved in wage earning works
such as rikshaw pulling and pottery.
An Indian activist in Kamaiya emancipation, Vivek Pundit,
said, "Law is not scanty in dealing with Kamaiya emancipation but the government
lacks interest," adding "The landlords do not have fear from law, so, if the
government or the court convicts a landlord, they will start fearing the law and
comply."
General Secretary of INSEC (a human rights organization)
Subodh Pyakurel said, "The yearly value of the work of Kamaiya family comprising 5
members is only Rs 21,200 though they work all the day throughout the year."
It was informed that the Kamaiya Mukti Andolan got started in
the Geta VDC in the Kailali district from May 1 of this year. Till now, the movement, has
successfully released 92 Kamaiyas and their family members in the Kailali district alone.
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