Susta Residents Protest in Kathmandu Demanding Citizenship and Land Deeds
Kathmandu. Local residents of the Susta area in Nawalparasi have taken to an indefinite protest at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu demanding the protection of their national identity and land. The protestors, activists of the Susta Bachau Abhiyan (Save Susta Campaign), have begun a sit-in protest demanding the distribution of citizenship, land deeds, and permanent demarcation of the Susta region.
The activists stated that they have launched the protest because the local residents, who risked their lives to protect the Susta region, are now deprived of basic rights such as citizenship and land deeds. During the sit-in protest at Maitighar Mandala, residents living in the border areas shared their painful experiences of many years. Citizens who were seriously injured in past border clashes narrated their hardships. The protestors have also brought soil from Susta, carrying the message 'Protect the soil of Susta along with the protection of Susta residents'.
During the protest, a woman who was injured by Indian security forces' gunfire in the past stated that she still has eight bullet wounds on her body. She mentioned that she lost her husband in the same incident and is demanding justice. According to her, she was brought to Bir Hospital for treatment at the initiative of the then King Mahendra. She stated that she has been forced to protest at Maitighar now as she has not received citizenship or proper justice even after a long time.
Susta residents have been continuously protesting since 2020 BS (1963 AD), demanding an end to border encroachment and the provision of citizenship and land deeds. According to them, many residents of Susta have lost their lives during the struggle spanning over six decades. The protestors complain that despite submitting memorandums to governments and ministers formed in various political eras, there has been no concrete response from the state, and the government has remained silent.
Munna Khan from Susta, participating in the protest, said that he was shot six times by Indian police during a border defense in 2040 BS (1983 AD). He expressed his grievance that despite being awarded a medal by the then government, he has not received Nepali citizenship to date. 'I took six bullets for the country, but even today I am without citizenship. We would rather die here, but we will get our rights,' said Khan, standing with the soil of Susta in his hand.
Meena Devi from Susta-5, participating in the sit-in, lamented that despite living on Nepali land for years, she has to endure continuous mental and physical harassment from Indian border security forces (SSB) and citizens of the border area due to not having citizenship. 'We are Nepalis, we want citizenship. Because we don't have proof, people from the other side come and cultivate our land and disrespect us,' she said.
Nurjahan Begum, a 70-year-old female leader and co-chairperson of the Susta Bachau Abhiyan, made it clear that the protest will not stop until their demands are met. The Susta residents, deprived of citizenship and land deeds, have expressed hope that the current government and local leadership will understand their plight and provide a long-term solution.
The younger generation of Susta is also facing similar problems, according to them. Rahul Chaudhary and Parvej Khan from Susta said that since there is only a school up to class 8 in Susta, they are compelled to go outside for higher education. They stated that when they have to go to the bordering Indian state of Bihar to buy daily necessities, they have to endure inhumane treatment and verbal abuse from the Indian police and SSB.
Susta residents have strongly demanded that the government immediately resolve the issues of border security, citizenship, land deeds, and permanent demarcation. The protestors have expressed confidence that the current government, with new leadership and educated manpower, will address their demands and resolve Susta's decades-old problems.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
