Thapathali squatters begin leaving homes as demolition looms

Kathmandu, April 24

Landless squatters living along the banks of the Bagmati River in Thapathali, Kathmandu, have begun vacating their homes. After the government prepared to demolish the settlement’s structures, residents started moving their belongings on Friday morning. However, some youths have gathered and are staging protests against the government.

Police had made public announcements on Thursday evening, urging residents to leave the settlement. Earlier, on Wednesday, shortly after Home Minister Sudan Gurung resigned from his post, Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) summoned the heads of security agencies and instructed them to clear the squatter settlements.

Following the Prime Minister’s directive, Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudyal convened a meeting of the District Security Committee on Thursday, which decided to evacuate the settlement. The meeting was attended by the acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Sunita Dangol and security officials.

In line with the committee’s decision, police made announcements on Thursday evening in four squatter settlements in Kathmandu, including Thapathali. The administration has stated that, in the first phase, bulldozers will be deployed in four settlements in the Kathmandu Valley, including Thapathali.

After receiving information about the planned demolition, some residents have been moving their belongings themselves, while others have been transporting them by vehicle. Meanwhile, some individuals are urging residents not to vacate the settlement, planning to defy the government’s decision.

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