Rajbiraj, Oct. 11 -- Laxmi Ram, aged 60, from ward 7 of Bishnupur Rural Municipality in Saptari district lost his father when he was just four. Decades later, he has yet to obtain a citizenship certificate. Without his identification, twelve members of his family-his wife, two sons, two daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren-remain stateless.

Over five decades ago, displacement caused by flooding along the Koshi river forced Laxmi's father Ramji Ram to settle in Bishnupur. The landless Dalit family lived there for 50 years before expanding and relocating to the banks of the western Koshi canal. Because the head of the household lacks citizenship, the family has been shut out of state-provided services and welfare benefits.

Financial ha...