Kathmandu, February 20:

The National Land Rights Forum (NLRF) today urged the government to end the ongoing brutality against landless people of Siraha and Saptari.

Issuing a press release, the forum informed that land of Mahabir Shah in Saptari and dozens of other houses in Siraha had been demolished last week. It stated that the action had violated the rights of landless people to live in their own country.

According to the statement, Kameshwori Devi-45, Shah’s relative, had died of cold four days after the forest office demolished the Shah’s house on Saturday.

Similarly, a joint team of forest and security officials demolished dozens of huts and manhandled landless families living in Govindapur Balaute in Siraha on Monday. “We had signed an agreement with the government on November 29 last year to allow landless people to stay where they are currently living. Demolishing the houses of the landless people is totally offensive,” stated the press release.