Freed Haliyas still without homes, candidates only hope for votes

By Gokarna Dayal, Baitadi, Feb 16: Candidates have visited Haliya settlements hoping to win votes, but the freed Haliyas still wait for the government's promise of settlement to be kept.

Even 17 years after the declaration of Haliya liberation, the freed Haliyas are forced to crush stones along the roadside to earn a living due to the lack of proper rehabilitation and employment opportunities.

The Government of Nepal declared the liberation of Haliyas on 6 September 2008. Out of 16,953 Haliyas in Sudurpashchim and Karnali provinces, the government has rehabilitated 13,546 so far, but 3,407 freed Haliyas are still waiting for basic food and shelter.

Rajuram Bhul, a leading activist of the Haliya movement, said that freed Haliyas have been carrying their identity cards and waiting for rehabilitation for the past 17 years.

He said that around 3,500 government-verified Haliyas have not received rehabilitation programs, and more than 3,000 additional Haliyas are still left out of the official records.

The government declared liberation for Haliyas in 12 districts, nine districts in Sudurpashchim Province, and Humla, Jajarkot, and Surkhet in Karnali Province. After liberation, the government categorized them for rehabilitation.

 Those without both house and land were given Category ‘A’ identity cards. Those who had land but no house were given Category ‘B’ identity cards. However, even now, around 3,500 freed Haliyas still do not have guaranteed food and shelter.

In Baitadi alone, 2,147 Haliyas have been officially verified by the government. Among them, only 1,568 have received rehabilitation programs so far. 

The remaining 579 Haliya families have not received any support. The process of recording the unlisted Haliyas has also not been completed.

Freed Haliya Parvati Bhul said that due to the lack of employment and proper rehabilitation programs after liberation, they are forced to survive by crushing stones along the roadside. She added that they have to work even without protective gloves, often suffering injuries.

Bhaga Bhul said that the suffering of Haliyas is discussed only during election times, and the issue fades away afterward. Due to difficulty in managing daily meals, Haliya children are unable to attend school regularly.

"Although the state declared Haliya liberation, it has failed to guarantee education, healthcare, and employment. As a result, most freed Haliyas from districts like Baitadi migrate to India for wage labor," said Sheriram Bhul.