KATHMANDU: Family members and human rights activists have expressed grave objection over the death of 47-year-old Hira Lal Hajara Dusadh—who committed suicide after being displaced without alternative housing arrangements—and submitted a 12-point memorandum to the government demanding justice, compensation, and permanent rehabilitation.
The memorandum, addressed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and relevant government agencies, states that affected families have been forced to live under extreme psychological pressure and uncertainty due to the government demolishing their shelters without providing alternative arrangements.
Highlighting Dusadh’s plight of being shuffled between holding centers in Kirtipur and Bode following the demolition of his home, the signatories asserted that his suicide was not an isolated incident but a direct indictment of the state’s displacement policy, administrative conduct, human rights record, and attitude toward landless citizens.
The family and activists have demanded an impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to Dusadh’s death through the NHRC or an independent judicial inquiry committee, alongside legal action against culpable officials.
Their 12-point demands include state-funded funeral rites, declaring Dusadh a “martyr” of the land and housing rights movement, providing long-term financial compensation based on the family’s socioeconomic needs, and immediately granting secure, legally titled land and housing rather than temporary holding center accommodations.
Furthermore, the memorandum calls for fully funded scholarships up to higher and technical education for the deceased’s children, guaranteed public sector employment for at least one capable family member, and long-term healthcare and social security for his dependents.
Systemically, activists urged the government to immediately cease unannounced demolitions, forceful evictions, and intimidation tactics.
They urged the state to stop using holding centers as pseudo-permanent housing solutions, execute a transparent and scientific survey to permanently resolve landlessness through the Land Commission, and mandate regular NHRC monitoring of holding center conditions regarding sanitation, mental health, and safety.
Meanwhile, according to the victim’s family, the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Bhaktapur arrived at 10:00 PM and facilitated a phone call between family members and Minister Pratibha Rawal.
During the call, Minister Rawal assured the family that she was actively advocating to secure land ownership certificates for them, requesting them to allow the removal of the body as she could not visit late at night.
Following the CDO’s personal commitment to secure employment for a family member, the body was eventually moved to the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for autopsy and preservation.
