What Did the Human Rights Commission and Activists Observe During the Eviction of Squatters After Bulldozers Were Deployed in Basti?
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Officials from the National Human Rights Commission and land rights activists monitoring the settlements cleared by bulldozers highlighted management issues related to squatters removed from riverbanks in Kathmandu.
During a visit to the Radhaswami Satsang Ashram in Kirtipur, squatter residents complained to the Human Rights Commission monitoring team about delays in food provision.
“They informed us that food was not given on time, which has caused further discomfort to elderly residents and individuals who require regular medication. Even during our visit, food arrived late from the Metropolitan City,” said Yagya Prasad Adhikari, head of the Commission’s Protection Department.
Following the demolition of squatters’ settlements along Kathmandu’s riverbanks, heavy rainfall in the capital has posed a challenge for residents trying to protect their belongings, said land rights activist Bhagwati Adhikari.
“When I personally visited the Manohara area, I saw belongings placed out in fields with no shelter. One mother was constantly complaining about not receiving food and water,” she shared.
Those squatter families relocated to hotels in the New Buspark area have also expressed grievances that the hotels only provided accommodation without food, according to Adhikari.
“They reported that no food was coming and, due to the lack of caregivers at the storage sites, they were compelled to leave the guest houses,” she stated.
How Many Squatters Have Contacted the Government?
Kathmandu Metropolitan City has announced plans to develop green spaces, parks, roads, and parking lots in squatter settlements vacated along the boundaries of Thapathali, Gairigaun, and Bhaktapur.
By Sunday afternoon, 270 homeless individuals who lost their dwellings along roadsides and riverbanks contacted the Metropolitan City for housing arrangements.
The Metropolitan City officials said some squatters left their belongings at Dashrath Rangashala stadium and went to stay with relatives, while others are currently housed at Radhaswami Satsang Ashram in Kirtipur and hotels in the New Buspark area.
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Officials confirmed that those in contact with the government have been provided with immediate food and shelter arrangements.
“Currently, documentation is underway for temporary management. The Metropolitan City doesn’t own land, so they are coordinating with the government to provide apartments and land to those affected,” said Mahesh Kumar Kafle, Assistant Spokesperson of the Metropolitan City.
Several rights organizations have criticized the government’s decision to remove riverbank settlements, describing it as an attempt at forced eviction.
Institutions like Amnesty International and the National Human Rights Commission have called on the government to identify the genuine squatters and manage the situation appropriately.
When Will the Eviction Be Completed?
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Referencing data from the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, the Prime Minister’s Office estimates approximately 4,000 squatters reside in Kathmandu.
Among them, the Office reports there are 476 unauthorized households in Shantinagar, 162 in Gairigaun, 143 in Thapathali, 77 in Gothatar, and 13 in Manohara, totaling 871 unauthorized homes.
Suresh Acharya, Assistant Chief District Officer of Bhaktapur, stated that around 700 squatters reside near the Manohara River on the boundary with Kathmandu.
According to him, most squatters vacated their permanent houses and temporary huts after eviction notices were issued.
However, eviction operations halted on Saturday evening following an attack on the team attempting to demolish structures in the Manohara squatters’ area.
Acharya reported that 21 police officers were injured during the attack, with some still receiving treatment.
“Today (Sunday), there were no such disturbances. The residents are voluntarily vacating houses and huts, and the administration is assisting,” he said.
Following Saturday’s disruption, approximately 2,000 security personnel and municipal police were deployed on Sunday, according to Assistant Chief District Officer Acharya.
Officials also noted that evacuations are taking longer in Manohara, Gairigaun, and Shantinagar, where permanent houses are present.
Vishnu Prasad Joshi, Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, stated that demolishing RCC buildings has required more time, and the settlements will not be cleared completely within Sunday.
“Clearing everything may take time. Demolition of permanent structures took longer than anticipated,” he said.
What Will Be Built on the Cleared Land?
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On Sunday, more than 15 bulldozers and excavators were deployed in the Manohara area, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City said.
The municipality and government have initial plans to transform the cleared squatter areas into green spaces, river corridors, parks, and parking lots, according to officials.
“The plan is to make these areas green zones. No structures will be built there; they will remain open spaces,” an official said.
“We also aim to create river corridors, parks, and parking spaces where needed. We’ll visit these locations tomorrow to formulate detailed plans.”
Previously, the municipality had constructed parks in some areas cleared of squatters.
Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Boundary to Be Realigned
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Nirmal Baral, Project Coordinator for Manohara Land Integration at Kathmandu Metropolitan City, explained that following the eviction of squatter settlements along the Manohara River, the city will restore the river’s old boundary.
He added that the squatter settlement was established on an area that was once part of the riverbed, which shifted its course, creating new land where squatters built shelters. Some of this land is privately owned.
“Once the river boundary is reinstated based on the 1964 cadastral survey, the boundary between Bhaktapur and Kathmandu will be completed,” Baral said.
Dam construction work to return the river to its original state is ongoing at the boundary of the two districts under the coordination of the Valley Development Authority but was previously halted due to the squatter settlements, Baral noted.
“Once the squatter area is cleared, a river corridor development plan will also proceed,” he added.
