Nationwide campaign launched to remove encroached structures on public and government land

Kathmandu: A nationwide campaign to remove illegally constructed structures on government and public land has been launched, including in the Kathmandu Valley. The government began the first phase of clearing encroached houses, huts, and other structures in various high-risk areas of the Kathmandu Valley from Saturday.

On Saturday, illegal structures were removed from riverbank areas in Thapathali, Sinamangal-Gairigaun, and Shantinagar in Kathmandu. Similarly, today, a government team, with support from security agencies including Nepal Police and Armed Police Force Nepal, is removing encroached structures from the banks of the Manohara River.

Development Commissioner of the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, Januka Dhakal, said that in the initial phase, settlements in risky areas are being removed, while in the second phase, proper settlement management will be carried out by identifying landless citizens. The authority has stated that initial records of citizens who have become homeless are being collected and settlement arrangements have been made.

Evacuation of risky settlements has begun in Gothatar Buddha Chowk and Manohara Tole of Ward No. 9 in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality-8 in Kathmandu. Security personnel are assisting in removing and transporting the belongings of residents before the physical structures are demolished.

The Authority stated that 214 families have come into contact with the government so far during the evacuation process. Arrangements have been made for accommodation and food for those affected in various hotels on a temporary basis.

As part of the campaign, illegally constructed structures have been removed in several places across the country, including Kathmandu Valley, Rupandehi, Nuwakot, Parsa, and others. In Butwal Sub-metropolitan City-4 of Rupandehi, houses and huts built on encroached government land were removed today. The Sub-metropolitan City had issued a notice on Saturday itself requesting removal of structures built on government land.

Today, the Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi Road Project Office removed a dozen government and 86 private structures built on encroached government land in various locations of Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot.

Similarly, the Narayani Irrigation and Management Office removed encroached houses, huts, and other structures from the banks of the Gandak Canal in Parsa today. The demolition work was carried out in coordination with Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and other security agencies, according to Sunil Kumar Karna, Chief of the Administration and Management Division of Birgunj Metropolitan City.

Inspector General of Police inspects Manohara area
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki inspected the ongoing evacuation of encroached settlements along the Manohara River. During the inspection, he gathered information regarding the proper management and relocation of landless citizens to safe locations, according to Police Headquarters.

During the evacuation process on Saturday, a minor clash occurred between police and locals along the Manohara River bank, resulting in injuries to 22 security personnel. As of the time of preparing this report, the evacuation process is continuing peacefully.

Human Rights Alliance urges meaningful dialogue
The Human Rights Alliance has stated that evicting squatters and landless people without alternative arrangements is not appropriate from a humanitarian and human rights perspective. In a statement issued by organization president Bidur Subedi, it is mentioned that the fear, insecurity, and uncertainty among displaced families will weaken trust between the state and citizens.

The Alliance has urged that forced displacement should be avoided and called for open, trust-based, and meaningful dialogue with the affected communities.