Eviction Process Begins for Settlements on Government Land in Front of High Court in Butwal

Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has initiated the process of evicting settlements situated on government land in Ward No. 4, located in front of the High Court. Following directives from the Sub-Metropolitan City, approximately half a dozen hut owners have started relocating their belongings since early morning. Although a notice to remove structures built on government land was issued back in 2013, the settlements had not been cleared until now.

Ward Chairperson Narishwar Sharma Paudel informed that land parcel number 396 is currently undergoing subdivision, and efforts are underway to assign which structure corresponds to which parcel. (Date: 13 Baisakh, Butwal) The government land was originally registered under the former Lumbini Regional Judge’s Office and later transferred in usufruct rights to the High Court Tulsipur Butwal Bench.

Following the federal government’s campaign to clear squatter settlements in Kathmandu, strict measures have also been implemented to protect encroached government land in Rupandehi. Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City issued a notice on Saturday evening instructing the removal of the unauthorized structures. Ward Chairperson Sharma noted that the area contains buildings belonging to the Butwal Bar Association, the Provincial Chief’s Office, and other organizations, and investigations are ongoing to confirm whether these structures fall within the original land parcels.

Despite notices being issued through local daily newspapers in 2013 to clear the settlements on this government land, the eviction had not occurred until now. Most of the huts were operating as tea shops and restaurants.