Process to Evacuate Squatter Settlements Begins Following Balen Shah’s Appointment as Prime Minister
April 23, Kathmandu – On September 24, 2022, then-Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah and Land Problems Resolution Commission Chair Keshav Niraula reached an agreement to identify, survey, and certify landless Dalits, landless squatters, and residents of unauthorized settlements. However, the implementation of this agreement was delayed. On December 28, 2022, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City deployed bulldozers in the Thapathali area, leading to clashes between security personnel and local residents. The dispute has since escalated to the courts. The landless communities have expressed complaints that the municipality has breached the agreement by failing to follow through.
The number of applicants submitting requests to the Land Problems Resolution Commission from Kathmandu Metropolitan remains very low, with only 56 applications received to date. According to a report prepared three years ago by the Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee, the total number of landless Dalits, landless squatters, and residents of unauthorized settlements in Kathmandu stands at 2,245.
Since assuming office as Prime Minister, Balen Shah has begun focusing special attention on the unique issues faced by landless Dalits, landless squatters, and those living in unauthorized settlements. The cabinet has decided to conduct an integrated digital survey and certification of these groups nationwide within 60 days. Furthermore, the government has announced plans to provide land to genuine landless individuals or rehabilitate them through integrated housing solutions within 1,000 days.
Since taking charge of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Prime Minister Shah has issued directives to deploy bulldozers in landless and unauthorized settlements. Pawan Gurung, Vice President of the United National Squatters Front, stated, “We advocate for peaceful legal resolution through dialogue; however, the government has repeatedly broken agreements and deceived us.”
Stakeholders have welcomed the government’s decision to address land-related issues. The Nepali Women’s Unity Society commented, “The initiative to manage the landless, squatters, and unauthorized settlements is a positive step.” Nonetheless, legal professionals have expressed skepticism, labeling the government’s expectations as unrealistic.
In July 2023, the High Court of Patan directed authorities to develop a plan within six months and ordered the collection and certification of land surveys. The Accountability Monitoring Committee warned, “Forcibly evicting settlements under the direct order of the Prime Minister and deploying security forces in this manner violates Government Work Program No. 91 and flagrantly breaches the constitutional, legal, and human rights obligations toward landless and squatter communities.”
To facilitate land distribution to landless Dalits and squatters and to manage unauthorized settlements, the government established the Land Problems Resolution Commission under the Land Related Act. To date, 1,209,059 applicants have registered with the commission.
Senior Advocate Rajup Prasad Chapagain emphasized, “Human rights must not be seriously violated under the guise of protection and beautification.” Kathmandu Metropolitan City spokesperson Naveen Manandhar stated that discussions with the Chief District Officer will determine the final decision regarding settlement evacuations.
