Bonded labourers who were freed by a government order on 17 July say they will agitate again to demand speedy rehabilitation. Leaders of two organisations-the Kamaiya Liberation Struggle Mobilisation Committee (KLSMC) and the Kamaiya Liberation Action Committee-are to meet early next week for finalise plans for a protest rally to be held on 6 November.
The plan is to submit memorandums demanding speedy registration and rehabilitation of Kamaiyas at District Administration Offices in five districts where the practice of bonded labour was widespread before the government's July decision. That would be followed by sit-ins and culminate in general strikes in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardia and Dang districts. A sit-in is also planned for Bhadrakali, the famous spot to the west of the Singa Durbar, the central secretariat.
Government officials say the Dasain and Tihar holidays have delayed identification and registration of the freed bonded labourers, which they say would be completed in about a month's time.