Authorities peacefully clear illegal settlements along Bagmati River in Thapathali

Kathmandu. Illegal huts along the Bagmati River in Thapathali have been removed peacefully. So far, 40 percent of the structures have been cleared. The Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal, and Kathmandu Metropolitan Police are jointly conducting the removal operation.

Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwor Raj Paudel stated that approximately 40 percent of the huts in the Thapathali area have been removed peacefully without the use of force.

“There is no situation where security personnel need to use force to remove illegally constructed structures. The citizens living there are cooperating with the government's campaign,” said CDO Paudel. “Security personnel are assisting the squatters in vacating the huts.” He added that security forces are also providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.

The government had been urging squatters and landless people living in high-risk public areas for the past two days to move their belongings and livestock to safe locations.

CDO Paudel informed that security personnel, technicians, bulldozer operators, ambulances, trucks for transporting goods, and vehicles for moving citizens to initial shelters have been deployed to clear illegal structures in the Thapathali area.

“Many have managed their own arrangements. Those who need help are coming to the government, and we are managing them accordingly,” said CDO Paudel.

The squatters from Thapathali have been relocated to the Dasharath Rangasala in Tripureshwor, where their details are being collected. Once genuine squatters are identified, they will be transferred to locations arranged for temporary housing. The Ministry of Urban Development is managing the temporary housing.

“Security personnel are providing humanitarian support, including protecting their belongings and assisting people with disabilities, the elderly, the sick, the infirm, those with chronic illnesses, children, pregnant women, and new mothers,” said CDO Paudel. “Those requiring medical treatment have been sent to hospitals.” Government trucks are also being used to move goods from the settlement.

Chief District Officer Paudel informed that the huts in the Thapathali area and the Gairigaun Sinamangal area of Kathmandu will be removed today. “If time permits, we will also start removing such settlements in the Manohara area today,” he said.

Meanwhile, squatters in Manohara have also begun leaving their huts. Security personnel are requesting them to move their belongings to safe places. Prime Minister Balendra Shah had issued instructions on Saturday and Sunday to remove illegally constructed huts along the riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley.