DHANGADI, AUGUST 2

Having lost their homes to a fire incident three months ago, dozens of families of freed kamaiyas are still living a difficult life under tarpaulins in Kailari Rural Municipality in Kailali.

Around three dozen houses were reduced to ashes when a massive fire tore through a human settlement in Bipatpur, Ward No 7 of Kailari Rural Municipality on April 24.

While some of the victims rebuilt their houses and started living, the less fortunate ones have been living under tarpaulin all this while. They have been living in the open under the tarpaulin of three months now, and as the tarpaulins are in bad shape, they worry about how to make it through the rains.

'The tent is already fraying and leaking due to the elements, so it doesn't protect us any longer,' said victim Janakidevi Chaudhary. 'As the tarp is leaking, it can't save us from rain water, so we keep praying for sunny days and starry nights,' she added.

Further, the victims informed that children, women and the elderly were most affected.

They also lamented the neglect of the provincial government.

'The provincial government gave us assurances of help in building our homes, but we haven't got any help,' said Hingu Chaudhary, another victim, adding they were expecting the government to follow through its promise.

Some victims also shared their survival difficulties.

Chief District Officer Kiran Thapa said his office had recommended that the Division Forest Office provide the fire victims necessary timber to construct their houses.

A version of this article appears in the print on August 3, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.