Displaced families spend Dashain-Tihar in holding centres, worry over livelihood

Even as Dashain and Tihar arrive, families removed from squatter settlements in Kathmandu remain forced to live in holding centres. Harimaya Jimba has been living in a holding centre since her house at the Thapathali settlement was demolished on Baisakh 12.

She was first kept in Kirtipur for three months before being moved to Bode in Bhaktapur. Unable even to buy a churra for Teej, Jimba said her family has scattered after losing both home and work, leaving no situation in which to celebrate the festival.

Recalling how she celebrated the festival with her family last year, even in a small shack, she said she still has not decided what to do this time. Although the government has arranged daal-bhaat for those kept in the holding centre, the displaced remain anxious as there is no resolution on employment or long-term housing.

Pawan Gurung said that because the promise of land and a land ownership certificate (lalpurja) has still not been fulfilled, that remains their main worry.