Incident Reports

Families want info on missing Kamlaris

2014-04-03

Banke, harayeko kamarai ko avasthako jankaari ko maag. BANKE, APR 03 - Badri Narayan Chaudhary of Bilauna VDC-8 in the district is worried about his sister Jugamani who reportedly went missing after she was taken to Kathmandu to work as a Kamlari (indentured girl child labourer) 10 years ago. Jugamani was just 10 when local resident Kaluram BK took her to the Capital saying that he would take her to his friend’s house. “I ask Kaluram to take my sister home whenever he visits us. He only assures each time, but has never kept his words,” Badri Narayan said. Jugamani’s family is uninformed of where she has been kept as Kamlari in Kathmandu. Similarly, Siukumari Chaudhary of Bilauna VDC-2, who has reportedly been kept as Kamlari, has not come in contact with her family for the past 12 years. She was eight when she was taken to the house of Bijju Thakuri of Nepalgunj-7 as domestic help with the help of local resident Kunbihari Chaudhary. “She has not come back since she left home on December 29, 2002,” Siukumari’s uncle Lagaru Chaudhary said. He said when they asked about Siukumari, her master told that she was in his house in Kathmandu. Siukumari’s father died earlier while her mother is suffering from mental illness. Kunbihari said he has found himself in a difficult situation as Siukumari’s family is pressing him to find her whereabouts. Six girls, who were reportedly employed as Kamlaris , are out of contact with their families, according to Freed Kamlari Development Forum (FKDF). FKDF officials said they have reported the matter to the District Administration and Home Ministry. FKDF’s legal advisor Fakala Chaudhary said the government should make public reports about the situation of the missing Kamlaris . “The government should find information about the missing Kamlaris ,” she said, adding that the government should also rescue them or provide compensation to their families if they are dead. According to the FKDF, 12 Kamlaris have gone missing from Kailali, five from Dang and four from Bardiya. Urmali Chaudhary, chairperson of FKDF in Dang, accused the government of not initiating work even after forming a commission to study missing Kamlaris . Superintendent of Police Sharad Kumar Khatri at Dang District Police Office said they have formed a separate team which is assigned to look into the Kamlaris ’ issues.

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