Army Seeks Data on Squatters Amidst Evictions

Kathmandu. Following the removal of squatter settlements in Thapathali, Manohara, and Gairigaun in Kathmandu, data collection on squatters has begun in other districts as well.

The army and police are actively involved in collecting data on squatters. While the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, and Poverty Alleviation and the Ministry of Urban Development are responsible for resolving squatter issues and managing settlements, the army in Bardiya and Udayapur has requested data on squatter settlements and their residents from local bodies.

Major Bolendra Karki of the Bajradal Battalion in Banke has written to eight local bodies in Bardiya requesting updated information on unmanaged squatter settlements. The letter from the Major of Imannagar Barracks states, 'As updated information regarding unmanaged squatter settlements in Bardiya is required, please send the details by the 14th...'

The army's letter requesting data also mentions that the subject of preparing a census of squatters and unmanaged residents and providing land in phases to genuine squatters is in the implementation stage as per the 100-point agenda for good governance reform of the Nepal government. The army's letter obtained by Ratopati states, 'In that context, it is known that security personnel were mobilized on May 12 and 13 to remove squatter settlements along riverbanks within the Kathmandu Valley and those encroaching on these rivers.'

The Pashupati Prasad Battalion in Udayapur has also written to the Land Problem Resolution Commission office in Udayapur requesting data on squatters. Major Pramod Adhikari of the Pashupati Prasad Battalion wrote to the Land Problem Resolution Commission Udayapur on May 14, requesting the details to be provided soon.

Following the army's request for squatter data, protests have erupted on social media. Social media users are questioning why the army, which remained 'silent' during arson attacks on important institutions during the Gen Z protests, is now seeking data.

Army Spokesperson (Assistant Chief of Staff) Rajaram Basne stated that the data was requested to update records as per an agenda item raised in the District Security Committee. He said, 'There was an agenda in the meetings of the District Security Committees to update records, and accordingly, our units have requested records.'

Bardiya Chief District Officer Gogan Bahadur Hamal stated that there was no discussion or decision in the District Security Committee regarding the army requesting squatter data. He said, 'We have currently requested details from everyone regarding encroached government and public land in the district.' Hamal stated that the District Administration itself has requested details of encroached land. Regarding the army's request for data from local bodies in Bardiya, he said, 'The army might have requested it for peace and security reasons, but we have not asked the army to do so.'

The police are also seeking details about squatters from local bodies. A letter from ASI Til Bahadur Khatri of the Masuriya Police Post to Rapti Rural Municipality in Dang requesting details has been made public. On May 11, Khatri sent a letter to the rural municipality requesting details of squatters illegally residing on Guthi, Pärti, and Ailani land within Wards 3 and 4.

Nepal Police Spokesperson (DIG) Abinarayan Kafle stated that there was no decision from the Police Headquarters to request data. He said, 'Local police units have requested details in their respective wards for security purposes.'

To provide land to landless Dalits and landless squatters and to manage unmanaged settlements, the government formed the Land Problem Resolution Commission in October 2081 BS under the Land Act 2081. According to the commission's data, there are 98,502 landless Dalits and 180,293 squatters nationwide.

930,790 people are living on encroached public land in an unmanaged manner.