They have collected 10 quintals of foodgrain including rice from various VDCs in the Deukhuri area, stating that they would take their protest to a decisive end. They have also collected oil. [break]
The former bonded labor girls have taken to the streets demanding justice for 12-year-old Srijana Choudhari of Lalmatiya in Dang district, who died on March 24 while working as a domestic at a house in Lalitpur. Organizations working for the welfare of Kamlaris claim that Srijana was murdered and have been demanding fresh investigations into the case.
The protesters have built up enough rations to last a month and started their city-centered demonstrations, pressing the authorities to initiate a probe into Srijana’s mysterious death.
A team of Kamlaris are staging various protests in Ghorahi, district headquarters of Dang, and another group has come to the capital to make their voice heard.
“We were forced to take to the streets after the state turned a deaf ear to our cause,” said Amita Chaudhari, a former Kamlari. “We are here with the necessary provisions and rations as we have decided not to return home until our struggle reaches a decisive end,” she added.
According to the protesters, they collected the rations after ending the first phase of their protest. They have brought three quintals of rice to Kathmandu to sustain their protest in the capital.
“We have brought the rations we need. We will cook and eat and remain in the capital until our voice is heard,” said Fakala Tharu, program coordinator of Friends of Needy Children (FNC), an NGO which focuses on the bonded child labour issue.
Similarly, over 100 former Kamlaris have arrived in Ghorahi to reinforce the protest demanding justice for Srijana. They collected rations from Ganagpur, Chulahi , Satwariya, Gowardiha, Lalmatiya and other VDCs. They further informed that the collection of rations is continuing.
“Our struggle might take a long time to attain its goal. So, we are still collecting the rations,” said Niru Chaudhari, another Kamlari.
They have started a sit-in protest in front of the district administration office in Dang. As per their schedule, they will continue the sit-in for three more days and then announce an indefinite strike from coming Tuesday.
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