The Nepal Landless Squatters and Informal Settlers Struggle Committee is preparing to hold a protest in Butwal against the eviction of settlements in Rupandehi. Committee Coordinator Khagendra Paudel stated that eviction attempts directed by the central government have created widespread fear throughout the district. The committee has warned of a major protest on 24 Baishakh, during which they will submit a memorandum to the local government and mount a strong resistance if forced evictions proceed.
At a press conference held in Butwal on Tuesday, the Struggle Committee announced that eviction processes are being carried out without any alternatives, prompting them to organize protests to demand a halt. Paudel said, “Following direct orders from the central government, many local municipalities in Rupandehi have begun clearing squatter and informal settlements, causing panic across the district.” They have warned of firm opposition in the event of evictions without suitable alternatives.
Paudel emphasized that the government must first identify genuine landless and informal settlers and manage the issue according to the frameworks established by the Land Commission under previous administrations. He also stressed that the current government, as the successor of former administrations, must assume responsibility for decisions and actions taken by those governments and the Land Commission.
Advisor to the Struggle Committee, Birendra Bik, pointed out that due to past government shortcomings, those who have cultivated and inhabited land for years have not received land ownership certificates. Instead of displacing these residents now, the government should provide them with official land ownership documents. Following the large-scale protest planned on 24 Baishakh, a memorandum will be submitted to the local government and District Administration Office, and any further forced evictions will be met with strong resistance, Bik warned. According to the recently dissolved Land Problem Resolution Commission, approximately 80,000 families of landless Dalits, landless squatters, and informal settlers currently reside in Rupandehi.
