Dozers Demolish 18 Structures Built on Encroached Government Land in Tokha

Kathmandu. The District Administration Office has deployed bulldozers to demolish 18 structures built by encroaching on government land in Dahalgauda, Ward No. 7 of Tokha Municipality, Kathmandu. Following the demolition of the physical structures using bulldozers on Monday amidst a heavy presence of police and administration, the families who had been living there for years have been left destitute.

These structures stood on more than 4 ropanis of government land in Plot Number 65, which falls under the former Dhapasi Ward No. 7 and current Tokha-7. Those residing in the demolished structures have accused the administration and ward office of suddenly deploying bulldozers without any prior notice.

According to locals, when the bulldozers suddenly started operating while people were still inside their homes, they struggled to save their lives and retrieve their belongings. Aach Maya Tamang, who has been living in the area for 30 years, stated that 18 households have become completely homeless and have no other place to live.

This incident has also brought another serious secret to light. According to locals, Ward Chairman Nrututtam Rana himself was involved in renting out the commercial shutters built by encroaching on government land. According to Aach Maya Tamang, the Ward Chairman was collecting rent amounting to hundreds of thousands of rupees monthly from the commercial shutters, excluding those occupied by the homeless.

Although the administration claims the demolition was carried out according to the government policy to reclaim encroached land, the eviction without alternatives has forced the homeless families to live under the open sky.

Photo: Nepal Photo Library