Squatter Issue: Government’s Credibility Declines Amid Rising Protests Led by Activists
According to 51-year-old Jhwar Lal Uraw, when he was displaced from the riverbank area in Thapathali, Kathmandu, he believed the government would at least provide a safe place for shelter. However, after staying with his family of six at a government holding center for over three months, his trust has been shaken. He is now worried about the future. Initially relocated from Thapathali to a holding center in Kirtipur, Uraw and fellow squatters were moved to Sundarijal and then recently to Bode following flooding. “We feel like we are not even Nepali citizens,” he said. “The government should not have taken such steps without arranging alternatives. At that time, we hoped the government would address our needs, so we did not resist.” Nevertheless, he acknowledged the government has provided sufficient food and shelter.
Kumar Karki, president of the National Squatter Front, stated that more than 3,600 displaced households from Kathmandu’s riverbanks who have not been housed in holding centers share sentiments similar to Uraw’s. “Only a minority are able to stay in the holding centers; many cannot even access food and remain outside,” he said. The government has repeatedly expressed its commitment to resolving the issues faced by displaced squatters in Kathmandu and other irregular settlers nationwide. However, Karki lamented the lack of any tangible effort. “If the government truly wanted, it could resolve this immediately, but it is not doing so,” he said, “Therefore, we have concluded that there is no alternative to protest. We are preparing to launch a movement once the rainy season ends.”
Balbhadra Bastola, chairperson of the Land Problem Resolution Committee, asserted that while the government has prioritized addressing landless squatters and irregular settlers, patience is needed before results emerge. He claimed the committee is now working with a clear plan. “It’s been 60 days since we started, and for one month we had to finalize internal procedures. So far, no visible results,” he explained. Chairman Bastola added that the committee has already distributed land ownership certificates to over 100 landless families across four districts. The government began this process last month by distributing certificates to 29 landless families in Bardiya. To date, the committee has received over 1,278,000 applications from landless squatters and irregular settlers.
Karki of the Squatter Front argued that the recent distribution and processing of land certificates cannot be considered achievements of the current committee. “The previous commission prepared the records and had progressed most of the necessary procedures. Some of the certificates currently distributed are a result of that prior work. This cannot be credited to the new committee.” Before responding to opposition proposals, Land Management Minister Pratibha Rawal had stated, “The time needed for this work will depend on everyone’s cooperation.”
