Kathmandu, November 11:

Plans to intensify stir if demands aren’t met.

The National Forum for Land Rights (NFLR)-Nepal, an organisation working to safeguard land rights of underprivileged groups, is gearing up to launch the third phase of its protest to pressure the government to meet its four-point demand.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the National Forum for Land Rights, Som Prasad Bhandari, general secretary, NFLR, said they were organising a press conference on November 16 to make public their fresh protest plan.

“From November 17, we will organise a series of programmes, including rallies and gatherings, to show the state that we can assert our right,” Bhandari said, adding, “More than 1,000 participants from different districts will stage a sit-in on November 30.

The landless have been calling for the formation of a High-level Land Reform Council. According to them, the landless, including Kamaiyas, Haliyas, Haruwa/Charuwa, freed Kamaiyas, Chure victims, Guthi victims and Ukhada, shall comprise one-third of the council’s strength.

They have also been calling for annulment of all land-related laws that favour landlordship and demanding the introduction of new acts that favour the landless. “The state shall let tillers capture the land they have been tilling till the scientific land reforms programme kicks off.” The landless maintain that 20 per cent of budget meant for Village Development Committees shall go for land reform.

At the programme, a dozen Constituent Assembly members expressed solidarity with the demands of the landless and urged them to stage protests to draw the attention of the government.

According to Bhandari, 16 lakh people have been associated with the forum in 55 districts.