Kanchanpur, Sept. 8 -- Lakshmi Damai from Baitadi had migrated to Kanchanpur at the age of 10. He worked as a Haliya (bonded labourer) in Mahendranagar and Bhimdatta until the government in 2008 declared the emancipation of Haliyas. Lakshmi, now 81, lives with his wife in a hut that he built on the banks of Gahatadi stream in Bhimdatta Municipality Ward No. 9.

Many other Haliya families who were freed with Lakshmi 12 years ago have already received land plots and houses. But Lakshmi's family is yet to be rehabilitated.

"Many of the Haliyas received houses and land plots but we got nothing. That is why I came here and built a hut on the banks of a stream," said Lakshmi.

After the liberation, he did not have to work for the landlords but...