Nepalese forest officers burned down around 200 huts belonging to displaced kamaiya (agricultural workers) on 22 September, outside Kailali in the Far Western District.

According to reports from Backward Society Education (BASE), the forest officers also seized poultry belonging to the freed bonded labourers and taunted the community following the attack.

Local activists fear this may mark the beginning of a new series of attacks by the Forest Department against the kamaiya settlements. Earlier this year, on 15 May, forestry officials burnt down huts built on occupied land in Kailali District - reportedly killing a child as a result.

Thousands of families were forced from their homes and off the land by landlords following the Nepal Government's 17 July 2000 declaration abolishing bonded labour. The Government's failure to implement land reform and develop a system of relief has forced freed bonded labourers into makeshift camps. Facing starvation and disease, many have occupied vacant government land.

Anti-Slavery International has written to the Prime Minister of Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba, urging him to ensure that those responsible for these attacks are punished and to carry out land redistribution. Anti-Slavery, together with other international organisations, is pressing for a minimum of 10 katha (0.4 hectares) of land to be distributed to each kamaiya family. This is the basic minimum needed for a family to survive.