War, state neglect rob hundreds of land
SANKHUWASABHA, Nov 21 - The decade-long insurgency and an apathetic state have virtually robbed hundreds of people in 12 VDCs of this district of their land.
The problem dates to April 27, 2002, when the then CPN (Maoist) attacked Chainpur-based government offices, including the Land Revenue Office (LRO) and the survey office. With field books, survey maps and other records for 8,440 hectares (165,850 ropanis) of land in Kharang, Mamling, Aankhibhuin, Siddakali, Bana, Nundhaki, Tamaphok, Jaljala and other VDCs destroyed in the attack, most people from these places cannot buy, sell or put their land as collateral.
“People are unable to buy and sell private land as we cannot register land in the absence of field books and survey maps,” points Rajendra Pokharel, LRO Chainpur branch chief, explaining that the LRO and survey office-attested field book and survey map are a must for land transaction.
“Hundreds of people are unable to exercise their right to property due to the state’s inaction,” fumes Birendra KC, a former chairman of Baneshwor VDC. While Manka Kumar Karna, head of the survey office Chainpur, says fresh survey is the only way to redraw maps and prepare field books destroyed in the Maoist attack, sources maintain that the task is easier said than done. The centre has to make a policy for a fresh land survey, they say, maintaining that district-based offices do not have the means to engage in the survey, a costly and time-consuming exercise.
“Authorities should take initiatives to sort out this problem,” prescribes joint-secretary of the Nepali Congress Sankhuwasabha chapter Kumar Babu Adhikari, slamming the state for leaving hundreds of people in the lurch even after the end of the insurgency.
Chief District Officer Tulsi Prasad Gautam says his office is studying the problem in coordination with the LRO and the survey office. “We will soon apprise the centre of the matter,” Gautam assures, trying to allay the affected people’s concern.
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