BAJURA:  Even after the declaration of elimination seven years ago, the Haliya system is still prevalent in Bajura district.

The government has declared Haliyas feed on September 6, 2008 and decided to celebrate the Haliya Emancipation Day on September 6.

Haliyas were people forced to work as tillers for some rich households mostly because their fathers and forefathers owed something to the houses.

Among 1,700 Haliyas in Bajura district, 926 have so far got the identity cards, informed District Administration Office.

Man Bir Luwar of Badhu-9 in Pipaldadi is working as tiller in the house of local Dabal Karki after being unable to pay Rs 6,000 which he had earlier taken for feeding his family.

He, however, cannot earn sufficient from Karki's. Hence, he works as a labourer in in Kolti Bazaar.

This is not only the condition of Luwar, but also of most of the Haliyas in the district.

Lack of security and rehabilitation as earlier announced by the government has caused problems to the Haliyas.

The fear of losing jobs, the only source of income and frequent demands by their landlords/employers to pay back the loan if they quit the job has silenced the tillers to claim their freedom.