Author: space4knews

The government is intensifying screening and health assessments for the homeless and landless populations as it removes unplanned settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. At the Dasharath Rangashala in Tripureshwor, a desk has been set up to accurately identify the truly homeless individuals. Medical teams are providing physical and mental health services as well as psychosocial counseling. (April 25, Kathmandu)

Following the clearance of various informal settlements along the riverbanks on Saturday morning, the government has initiated screening processes for homeless and landless people. With the establishment of a desk at the Dasharath Rangashala in Tripureshwor, authorities are identifying genuine homeless individuals. Medical teams present at the venue are delivering physical and mental health care to those who have arrived.

The Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers reported that the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has deployed medical teams to conduct health assessments. So far, six individuals with low blood pressure—four men and two women—have been treated. Additionally, health services were provided to two men with back and joint pain, eighteen men and six women experiencing headaches, two pregnant women, one individual with cuts and injuries, and twelve others with various issues.

Psychosocial counseling has been offered to women in polygamous marriages, women without fathers, school-age children, and employed guardians who sought help for mental health challenges. Concerns primarily relate to family and employment issues, mental stress, and questions about how to continue children’s education, according to Rishiprasad Bhusal, focal person for epidemic prevention and control programs at the Department of Health.

April 25, Kathmandu – The demolition of the Sukumbasi settlement in Manohara, Bhaktapur, has commenced. A large number of security personnel have been deployed to carry out the removal of the settlement. Bulldozers are currently being used to dismantle the houses. On Saturday, attempts to demolish the area were met with resistance from local residents. During the confrontation, locals threw stones, injuring some security personnel. Following this, the team with the bulldozer withdrew but returned today to the Manohara area to resume the demolition. On Saturday, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City also initiated demolition efforts using bulldozers at Sukumbasi settlements in Thapathali and Gairigaun.

Nepali cricketer Karan KC has achieved a remarkable milestone by taking 200 wickets in international cricket. He has claimed 95 wickets in ODIs and 106 wickets in T20Is across 154 matches. On Saturday, he took 4 wickets against the UAE, helping Nepal secure a victory over them. Kathmandu, 13 Baisakh.

Making his international debut in T20Is in 2015, Karan has excelled in both ODI and T20I formats. Throughout his career spanning 154 matches, he has taken a total of 201 wickets, including 95 wickets in 66 ODIs and 106 wickets in 88 T20Is. His impressive performance with four wickets in the recent ODI against the UAE played a crucial role in Nepal’s win against the UAE.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Balen Shah, the campaign to remove nearly four thousand homeless settlements along Kathmandu’s riverbanks has been intensified. The problem of homelessness originates from the historical unequal distribution of land and socio-economic disparities, resulting in this forced situation. The government holds a constitutional obligation to manage homeless communities with dignity, providing temporary relocation and permanent housing solutions.

Balen Shah, who assumed office with nearly a two-thirds majority, has accelerated efforts to clear the roughly four thousand homeless settlements along Kathmandu’s riverbanks. Previously, as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, this initiative faced setbacks due to lack of cooperation from the federal government. However, after becoming prime minister, he has coordinated with all three security agencies to advance the campaign. Despite government promises to temporarily relocate people before removing settlements and subsequently arrange permanent housing, homeless individuals—betrayed repeatedly by the state and political parties—continue to live with deep uncertainty, fear, and anxiety.

No one desires to become homeless or to live a precarious life along riverbanks. Therefore, the homeless citizens themselves are not the cause of the problem; the structural failure of the state to provide long-term and humane solutions is at fault. It is commendable that the Balen government is attempting to address this long-standing issue in a sustainable manner. However, simply shifting a humanitarian crisis from one place to another in the name of urban beautification is insufficient.

The issue of homelessness has long been exploited politically and by mafias. It is not merely a matter of illegal encroachment on riverbank land but a serious political question linked to social justice, human rights, and inclusive development of marginalized groups for decades. Bulldozers can demolish homes, but they cannot dismantle the roots of poverty and discrimination. For nearly six decades, politics and corruption have operated in Nepal under the pretense of the homelessness issue.

What is needed today is not ruthless displacement, but humane ownership and empathy; not instability and fear, but dignified permanence. Therefore, the government must take genuine and practical steps rather than show superficial concern.

The team from the National Human Rights Commission has visited Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan in Kirtipur to assess the situation of squatters. On Saturday, the Nepal Police and municipal police evicted squatters from Thapathali and Gairidhara areas and relocated them to Satsang buildings in Nagarjun and Kirtipur. Following recommendations made by the commission in 2012 (2069 BS), the government was directed to identify squatters and arrange alternative housing before any management action is taken. (April 26, Kathmandu)

The commission’s team is actively working in the field to understand the conditions faced by squatters. This morning, they visited Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan in Kirtipur. On Saturday, squatters were removed from Thapathali and Gairidhara by a joint operation of the Nepal Police and municipal police and taken to locations including Satsang buildings in Nagarjun and Kirtipur. The team was deployed for monitoring in response to allegations of human rights violations.

Dr. Tikaram Pokhrel, spokesperson for the commission, confirmed that the team was deployed to investigate the squatters’ situation. On April 24, the commission sent a letter urging implementation of its 2012 recommendations regarding squatter management. According to those earlier recommendations, squatters are to be identified and provided with alternative housing arrangements before any eviction takes place. Furthermore, the government was instructed to avoid excessive use of force and to proceed with restraint when clearing homes and temporary structures on encroached land.

The BP Highway has been completely blocked since 4 PM on Friday afternoon due to diversions being washed away by heavy rains. Police Inspector Ishwar Karki informed that reopening the highway remains challenging even as of Sunday evening. Vehicles stranded in Mangaltar, Bhakunde, Kabre Bhanjyang, and Dhulikhel areas have begun to be operated via alternative routes. Due to the heavy rainfall on Saturday, multiple diversions collapsed, leading to the full obstruction of the BP Highway. Police sources state that it will take time to reopen the highway, which has been closed since 4 PM on Saturday.

Inspector Ishwar Karki, Chief of the District Police Office in Mangaltar, expressed concerns that the road might remain closed until Sunday evening. According to police, flooding of the Roshi River has washed away diversions in areas including Chowkidanda, Ghumaune, Charsaya Bensi, Gimdi Bensi, Narke, Chiuribas, Boksikuna, Kaldhunga, Dalabesi, Thulodhunga, and Mamti. Similarly, diversions have also been washed away in Nepalthok and Aapghari areas of Sindhuli. District Police Chief SP Komal Shah reported that due to the washouts at various points along the BP Highway, hundreds of vehicles had been stopped in Mangaltar, Bhakunde, Kabre Bhanjyang, Dhulikhel in Kavre, as well as in Nepalthok and Khurkot in Sindhuli.

Since Sunday morning, vehicles stranded in Bhakunde, Kabre Bhanjyang, and Dhulikhel have been relocated to safer locations. Passengers stuck near Mangaltar have also begun to be diverted via alternative routes. According to police, vehicles carrying passengers up to Mangaltar were stopped there; passengers were then made to cross the Roshi River on foot and arrangements made for another vehicle to transport them through Temal’s Kaldhar, Narayansthan, Bhakunde, and onwards to Dhulikhel. Police noted that vehicular movement on the highway will resume only after the weather improves and the road’s safety is confirmed. Further updates from authorities are expected.

One month after assuming office as the country’s executive chief, Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah has initiated the removal of informal settlements along the riverside areas of the Kathmandu Valley — a task he was unable to accomplish during his tenure as Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. On Saturday, dozers were deployed to demolish homes where landless residents in the Thapathali and Sinamangal areas had been living. The Prime Minister’s Office has informed that this campaign will continue on Sunday. This move, aimed at resolving the decades-old homeless squatters’ issue that both federal and local governments have failed to solve, has sparked mixed reactions.

Having resigned as Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City to contest the parliamentary elections, Balen Shah’s National Independent Party secured a near two-thirds majority in the elections held in February, resulting in a single-party majority government. Since taking office on Chaitra 13 (end of March), Shah has introduced significant changes to the traditional governance structure, according to Hari Prasad Dhungana, Associate Professor at Nepal Open University. “There is a clear effort to bring new changes to how the government operates and functions, showing a fresh wave of confidence,” Dhungana said.

However, Chitra Bahadur K.C., Chairman of the Rastriya Janamorcha and a former Deputy Prime Minister, has criticized the new government for lacking democratic character. “With the imposition of bans on student organizations that raise the voice of the people, it is evident that this government pays little heed to democratic elements,” K.C. stated.

While some government initiatives have yet to achieve success, the Balen-led administration has not been fully successful across the board. Following public controversy surrounding two ministers appointed by the Prime Minister, both had to be removed from the cabinet. Deepak Kumar Sah resigned within two weeks of his appointment after his wife’s controversial appointment came to light. Similarly, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung stepped down on the 27th day of his term after asset declarations revealed his investment partnership with a businessman entangled in controversy.

The new government has also issued arrest warrants against former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former Foreign Minister Arju Rana concerning asset purification issues. Both remain abroad in Hong Kong and have not returned to the country. Alongside political figures, several businessmen involved in financial crimes and asset purification cases have also been apprehended.

Prime Minister Shah has already announced certain policy reforms as part of a 100-day plan. Amid these reforms, the government has faced both support and opposition for its decisions to ban student organizations in universities and campuses, and even dismiss employee trade unions. “It is clear that this government is not geared toward progress. The sight of bulldozers removing squatters only confirms this,” said former Deputy Prime Minister K.C.

April 25, Kathmandu – Amid ongoing tensions with the United States and Israel, internet restrictions in Iran have severely impacted millions of people. Approximately 10 million Iranians depend on uninterrupted internet access for their work. Initial estimates indicate that over one million jobs have been lost due to these internet limitations. Independent assessments suggest the actual impact may be even more significant, with substantial losses projected in the digital economy. Furthermore, widespread damage has been reported across infrastructure and various industries.

Within Iran, the internet restrictions have sparked internal disagreements within the government. Senior Iranian officials have warned that the internet blackout is causing job losses and will have considerable social and economic repercussions. There have been serious objections raised regarding unequal internet access, but some high-ranking government officials assert that given the extraordinary circumstances, restoring internet service is not feasible at this time. Consequently, citizens have been urged to remain patient.

According to Iranian authorities and media reports, the economic fallout from the conflict with the US and Israel is intensifying. This continuing pressure is adversely affecting employment, the digital economy, and key industries. A significant concern surrounds the complete nationwide internet blockade, which has now entered its 54th day. Senior officials emphasize the importance of equitable and fair access. Iran’s official government information portal shared that First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref, on April 22, recognized internet access as a global right.

Deputy Labor Minister Gholam Hossein Mohammadi stated that preliminary estimates show over one million jobs have been lost due to the conflict, with an additional 2 million people facing direct or indirect unemployment. Some Iranian media outlets estimate that up to 4 million jobs have been lost or affected, suggesting the economic damage might be even higher. The digital economy alone is estimated to have incurred losses amounting to 2,150 trillion rials (approximately 1.69 billion USD). Daily losses in the digital sector are valued at 5 trillion rials (3.9 million USD), while the overall economy suffers losses estimated at 50 trillion rials (39.2 million USD) daily.

Officials have justified the internet restrictions as wartime necessities. Elias Hazrati, head of the government’s public relations council, stated that full internet restoration will only occur after the conflict ends. Highlighting the ‘special circumstances,’ he appealed to the public for patience. On April 21, Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi called stable, high-quality internet access a ‘public right.’ He warned that these disruptions stem not just from technical issues but also multifaceted and systemic problems.

Hashemi emphasized that nearly 10 million people, predominantly from middle and lower-income groups, rely directly on dependable digital connectivity for their livelihoods. He cautioned that ongoing instability poses a direct threat to their employment and could lead to widespread social and economic consequences. Highlighting financial pressures in the telecommunications sector, he noted that some service providers are experiencing reduced revenues and struggle to pay their employees’ salaries.