Hayu family moves to Pokhara in search of better life

By Phadindra Adhikari,Lekhnath, July 30: After living in their ancestral home for over four decades, the Hayu family from Bikharkateri in Golanjore-6, Sindhuli, disappeared quietly from their village on Friday.

Leaving behind tethered livestock, the 16 members of Urmila Hayu’s family suddenly became unreachable. 

They have now surfaced in Pokhara, where they are staying in a rented house in Gagangaunda in Ward No. 30 of Pokhara Metropolitan City, along with three other relatives, bringing the total to 19. Their unexplained disappearance drew national attention on Monday.

Urmila Hayu, 45, the head of the family, stated that they moved in pursuit of a better life. “We fell ill, and the place had become difficult to live in,” she said. “We came here hoping to find work and live comfortably.”

Security forces that were mobilised across the country to trace the missing family eventually located them in Pokhara on Monday evening. 

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Shyam Babu Oliya of the Kaski District Police Office, the Hayu family has made it clear that they intend to settle in Pokhara. “They’ve come here to work as daily wage labourers and are already renting two houses,” he said.

The family had reportedly rented a vehicle to travel from Sindhuli and informed the police repeatedly that they had no intention of returning to their village. 

Ward Chairperson Rabi Kumar Shrestha of Golanjore-6 explained that although Bikharkateri is somewhat isolated, it is not particularly remote. “Surprisingly, they left without telling anyone, abandoning their home and livestock,” he remarked. 

“There are around 50 Hayu households in my ward. The main road is only 4 to 5 kilometres from their home. It’s not extremely difficult to access.”

On Tuesday, the police placed the family under the responsibility of a relative. According to Assistant Chief District Officer of Kaski, Shiva Lamsal, the family was entrusted to Dhan Bahadur Tamang, the husband of Kamala Hayu, one of the family members. This was done in the presence of Durga Prasad Subedi, Ward Chair of Pokhara Metropolitan City-30.

The family visited the popular Fewa Lake and Tal Barahi Temple in Pokhara on Tuesday. Although they declined to speak to the media, they have indicated plans to stay in Pokhara and seek work to sustain themselves.

The Hayu ethnic group is primarily found in Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Udayapur, Kavre, and Siraha districts. Since 2007/08, the government of Nepal has been providing monthly allowances to individuals of the Hayu community. 

According to the 2021 census, there are only 3,069 Hayu individuals. Despite having their own language, the number of fluent speakers is rapidly declining.