Mahendra Morang Campus Faces Land Encroachment Crisis as Tribhuvan University Issues Ultimatum

Biratnagar. Nearly one bigha of land belonging to Mahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus, which has a history of over seven decades, is under the illegal occupation of various individuals.

Following a 35-day final warning issued by Tribhuvan University (TU) to vacate the encroached land, internal turmoil and debates about land retrieval are ongoing within the campus. However, the campus administration has not yet initiated the process to reclaim the land.

The notice issued by the TU Executive Council on Baisakh 4, 2083 BS, states, 'Vacate the land illegally occupied, possessed, and controlled in violation of university acts, regulations, and prevailing laws within 35 days and officially return it, otherwise action will be taken as per regulations.'

Based on this notice, the campus administration appears uncertain about how to proceed rather than focusing on searching for its property. According to the campus's official records, the campus possesses land ownership certificates for 18 bighas, 9 kattha, and 4 dhur in Biratnagar-12. 'According to our records, we have land ownership certificates for 18 bighas, 9 kattha, but looking at the field, not all land is under the full control of the campus,' says Campus Chief Dr. Ramavatar Sharan. 'The main part of the campus east of the canal is secure. However, there is a significant problem with the land west of the canal. Our old hostels are located there, which are currently in a dilapidated state, and unauthorized settlements have sprung up around that area.'

Former Campus Chief Dr. Baburam Timsina explains how and by whom the campus land was encroached upon. 'Initially, people working behind the library (cobblers) were allowed to stay out of compassion. They were told to stay there, but today, large concrete houses have been built there,' Timsina said. 'Approximately 1 bigha of land is under encroachment.'

According to Timsina, land belonging to Mahendra Morang Campus is also located on the land of Biratnagar's Degree Campus. However, such lands are being used by various organizations without any consent from Mahendra Morang Campus.

'The land of 10 bighas at the current Shailaja Acharya Heart Hospital, which was said to be given to National Trading, was donated to Mahendra Morang by King Mahendra,' said Dr. Timsina. 'Campus land has been encroached upon in the area from Ganesh Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, up to Guru Baral's pond. In some places, only campus land was used to build a 35-foot road, which reduced the area of the campus land.'

Regarding the encroachment, he says, 'The houses located north of the canal to the west of the campus are on campus land. Initially, there were 4-5 houses, but now more than 17-18 houses have been built. They sell land themselves, build themselves, and keep expanding.'

Rohit Yadav, chairman of the Free Students Union (FSU), stated that they are continuously pressuring the administration against land encroachment. 'Our primary demand is that the encroached land of the campus, regardless of who has occupied it, must be vacated. We made a concrete decision on this a month ago in a joint meeting of the campus administration and the FSU,' said Chairman Yadav. 'Now that TU's notice has arrived, we have legal and moral support. We are now coordinating with the Metropolitan City, the Survey Office, and the District Administration Office to demarcate the campus boundaries and prepare to immediately fence it with a compound wall. Not an inch of campus land will be relinquished.'

Former Chief Timsina also mentions that not only the campus land but also its physical materials have been widely misappropriated. 'All the cooking pots, plates, saucepans, and desks and benches used by 70 students in the hostel have also disappeared. Where did the stoves and fans for cooking for 70 people go? This is all campus property, but it was all misappropriated by tampering with the store inventory,' Timsina said.

Mahendra Morang Campus, established on Shrawan 16, 2012 BS, was built with the sweat of Biratnagar's educationists and historical figures. The institution reached this height due to the special interest of Subba Ramchandra Adhikari, Matrika Prasad Koirala, and later King Mahendra. However, facts show that land grabbing has occurred recently with political protection.

According to the current Campus Chief Dr. Ramavatar Sharan, a committee led by Bhojraj Pokharel, formed by TU, had conducted a study. Dr. Sharan says, 'TU's Vice-Chancellor Keshav Jung Baral himself came here, inspected, and expressed concern about the land situation. As per his instructions, we have sent all documents and details to the center.'

Recalling the efforts during his tenure, former Campus Chief Dr. Timsina said, 'During my time, I had sent letters to the Municipality, Ward Office, Survey Department, Land Revenue Office, Police, Vice-Chancellor, Rector, Registrar, and even the Prime Minister. Documents with my signature stating that the land should be vacated might still be safe, but no one showed the will to implement it.' Campus Chief Dr. Sharan states that they will proceed through legal channels. He says, 'We have completed all the preparations from our side. After the final directive from the center, we will proceed to vacate the land with the help of the local administration.'