Squatter Settlements in Hetauda Face Uncertainty Amid Government Eviction Directives

Makwanpur. Following directives from the federal government, preparations are underway to clear squatter settlements in areas including Thapathali, Kathmandu. After an ultimatum from the local administration to vacate the area by Friday evening, residents have been busy moving their belongings.

With the preparations to use bulldozers in Kathmandu's squatter settlements, residents of such settlements in Hetauda and other parts of Makwanpur have become apprehensive. They fear that the government might intervene in their areas just as it did in the Thapathali region.

Similar fear exists in the Simaltar area (squatter settlement) of Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Ward Number-11. For the landless squatters of Simaltar, located 3 kilometers west of the Hetauda market area, the concern is not just about not having land ownership certificates (Lalpurja), but also about when the government might evict them.

Simaltar, located in Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Ward Number-11, the capital of Bagmati Province, is the Tole Development Organization with the highest number of households, exceeding 2,300. The residents here do not possess land ownership certificates for the land they occupy.

Simaltar has access to paved roads, drinking water, electricity, and drainage, but due to the lack of ownership certificates, locals have been unable to take out loans by mortgaging their homes and land. The residents of Simaltar have been waiting for ownership certificates for three decades.

Sumitra Bishwakarma of Hetauda-11, Simaltar, stated that the government's recent directive to remove squatter settlements has caused anxiety and fear. Having lived there since 2050 BS, she mentioned that even though the land survey was completed and they had received registration slips, there is now a fear of displacement.

Bishwakarma argues that it is unjust to try to remove squatters who are hoping for ownership certificates without providing alternatives or information. 'We had hoped that the current government would understand the plight of Dalits, the landless, and the poor, but this move to remove us without alternatives has made us even more worried,' she said. She demands that they either be given ownership certificates for the land they are currently occupying or be relocated to another organized place with a guarantee of housing.

'We had to struggle and protest significantly to get basic facilities like electricity and drinking water in this settlement. After a long effort, we finally got these facilities, and now there is a fear that we might have to leave,' Bishwakarma said, 'The government should not force real squatters who have nowhere else to go to carry their belongings and end up on the streets.'

She stated that the government should play a parental role and move forward with the management of settlements for Dalits and the helpless.

Panchalal Tamang, a squatter from Simaltar, commented that the government's preparation to remove the settlement without alternatives is not appropriate. He urged the government to view squatters as human beings.

Tamang stated that it would be inhumane for the government to displace squatters without proper management. He urged the government to play a parental role and protect their constitutional rights.

Tamang, who has been living in the area since 2052 BS, suggested that the government should not ignore the fact that squatters are also citizens of this country. According to him, the squatters made the area habitable by building embankments and controlling the river.

He expressed sadness that even though the land survey was completed through the Landless Squatter Problem Resolution Commission in the Simaltar area, they have not yet received ownership certificates. He said that the process of forming and dissolving land commissions repeatedly since 2052 BS has always left real squatters in injustice.

'We have made this place habitable with great difficulty and suffering. The government should not do anything to destroy our lives now,' Tamang said, 'There is a big difference between those who occupy land illegally and real squatters. We do not have any property or land in our names. The government must guarantee us shelter, food, and clothing. It is our right to identify real squatters and obtain ownership certificates for the land we are using.'

Govinda Prasad Neupane, Hetauda Municipal President of the National Land Rights Forum Nepal, said that it is an immature decision by the government to try to remove settlements without proper management of the landless, Dalits, and squatters. He stated that the government directive to remove squatter settlements without alternatives has created fear in the poor squatter community.

Neupane mentioned that the government itself has already built infrastructure such as roads, electricity, drinking water, and schools in areas where people have been living for years. He said that although the current government has a two-thirds majority and educated leadership, it appears insensitive regarding the rights of squatters. He said it is wrong to take people's votes during elections and then cause them suffering. He emphasized that instead of displacing squatters and unmanaged settlers, the government should find a permanent solution by providing ownership certificates.

'The directive to remove the settlement is not justified at a time when the land survey for the squatter settlement has been completed, registration slips have been distributed, and we are in the final stages of receiving ownership certificates,' said President Neupane, 'Leaders should not cause suffering to the people from whose areas they won votes to reach power. If the people suffer, the leaders themselves must be held accountable.'

According to Devkrishna Thokar, President of the Hetauda-11, Simaltar Tole Development Organization, the Simaltar settlement, which started on 2052 BS Poush 6, is home to poor laborers such as cart pullers, rickshaw pullers, and stone crushers. He expressed full confidence that the squatters of Simaltar would soon receive ownership certificates.

He said that since 2070/071 BS, survey mapping work has been done 3/4 times in the Simaltar area, and the ward office and Tole Development Organization are currently investigating the applications received.

'The investigation process regarding giving ownership certificates to the squatters of the Simaltar area is in the final stage. Now, the details will soon be sent to the Sub-Metropolitan City, and from there, it will be sent to the Land Commission to prepare the certificates. We are confident that this government will provide a proper solution to the problems of the squatters and organize the unmanaged,' he said.

We will discuss with the federal government to solve the squatter problem: Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Lama

Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Meena Kumari Lama said that squatter settlements cannot be removed without alternatives and management. She said that although the removal of squatter settlements has started in the Thapathali area of Kathmandu, no concrete directive has come regarding Hetauda.

Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Lama said that she has also discussed the squatter problem with the Chief District Officer (CDO), and so far, no concrete directive has come from the federal government regarding the removal of the settlement. She clarified that there is a plan to meet with federal government ministers to discuss the squatter problem further and for the proper management of the squatters.

Lama said that the government should move forward responsibly regarding children's education and social security while clearing squatter settlements. She said that children from squatter settlements are studying in local schools, and the government should not move forward aggressively without considering their future.

'The problem of squatters in Hetauda is not small. Thousands of people are living here. Removing them suddenly without any preparation and alternatives could lead to a major humanitarian crisis,' said Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Lama, 'We need enough time for the management and relocation of the squatter problem. People cannot be brought to the streets without a guarantee of proper housing.'

Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Lama clarified that the Sub-Metropolitan City is working on settlement management and distribution of ownership certificates. She clarified that work is being done for landless squatters in Ward Number 7, and the first phase of work for landless Dalits and squatters in Ward Number 11 has also been completed.

She clarified that no ownership certificates have been distributed to any squatters so far, but all work is in the process. She complained that the frequent dissolution of the Land Commission has hindered the work and stalled the process.