After the government issued an ultimatum to remove the Sukumbasi settlement in Thapathali, Kathmandu, locals have begun moving their belongings. They expressed concerns over the lack of clear information regarding the eviction decision. Prime Minister Shah stated that the government will distinguish between genuine Sukumbasi residents and encroachers and proceed with distributing land to the rightful residents. April 24, Kathmandu.
Some were packing their belongings into bags, others loading goods onto Bolero vehicles, and some were carrying their possessions by themselves. When visiting the Sukumbasi settlement in Thapathali on Friday morning, many residents appeared confused and anxious. Ever since the government issued instructions to clear the settlement, the community has been unsettled. On Thursday evening, security personnel used loudspeakers to urge residents to vacate the area. The previous night, police raided the settlement, and the following day, authorities set a deadline of 7 pm Friday for residents to remove their belongings.
Residents trying to move their possessions were reluctant to engage with others. Protecting their belongings was their paramount concern. “Tomorrow, even these possessions will be destroyed. Earlier, when the Metropolitan Police came, the Nepal Police used to intervene. Now, they themselves carry out the operations,” said Geeta Lama, who was packing her items, expressing her worries. “No one cares anymore. This seems to be our fate.” The anger among the Sukumbasi community stemmed from the government’s sudden escalation of the eviction process without clear communication.
Chants echoed throughout the settlement. During a protest before the government took office, Rashtriya Swatantra Party president Ravi Lamichhane famously declared that if dozers were used on the Sukumbasi settlement, he would confront the authorities boldly. Residents even called on Lamichhane to come to the settlement to ‘confront’ the demolition efforts. As slogans rang out near the settlement gate, more people gathered. Locals remarked, “Various self-interested groups will come now. They engage in politics, but ultimately, we are the ones who suffer.”
As the Sukumbasi residents remained uncertain, police activity on Friday afternoon heightened their fears. Authorities began installing CCTV cameras along the roadside near the Sukumbasi settlement in Thapathali, increasing local suspicions. Prime Minister Shah stated, “We are in government and will distinguish between encroachers and genuine Sukumbasi residents. We will complete the process nationwide and distribute land to rightful Sukumbasi families as soon as possible.”
