Freed haliyas’ ruptured destination: How landlessness is still a problem in rural Nepal

Haliya is an individual bound to act as an agricultural labourer annually or bi-annually on the interest of the debt either taken by the individual or by his/her family or by his/her ancestor or the guarantee undertaken for someone from the money lenders.

This kind of malpractice is prevalent in the districts of Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces although the government has already declared them free on September 6, 2008. The freed haliyas, mostly Dalits , have been forced to work and plough for money lenders as shepherds, ploughers, labourers, doli carriers and slaves. It has been handed down for generations, pushing Dalits to the deprivation of political rights and land resources.