Government Evicts Over 1,600 Families in Kathmandu Valley to Clear Encroachments

Kathmandu. The government has evicted residents from three main areas, removing encroachments along riverbanks and protecting public property to make the Kathmandu Valley 'beautiful'. For three days starting Saturday, bulldozers were used mercilessly in these settlements. Temporary structures that had encroached on riverbanks and public land for a long time were removed.

According to the Kathmandu administration, a total of 1,668 landless families have been successfully evicted from four areas as of Tuesday evening. Chief District Officer of Kathmandu, Ishwarraj Poudel, stated that the largest number, 773 families, were relocated from the Manohara area. The government claims that the presence of families living in this area for years has been adversely affecting the natural flow of the river and the surrounding environment.

Similarly, 638 families have been relocated from the Shantinagar area along the Bagmati River. In Shantinagar, 476 families were living on one side of the Bagmati River and 162 families on the other.

143 families have also been evicted from the Thapathali area, considered the heart of Kathmandu and always a center of discussion, and 114 families have been moved from the Milan Chok area in Jadibuti.

Number of Evicted Landless Families and Settlements

Total families evicted: 1,668 families (from 4 main areas)
- Manohara Area (Bhaktapur): 773 families
- Shantinagar Area (Bagmati Bank): 638 families (476 on one side and 162 on the other)
- Thapathali Area: 143 families
- Jadibuti (Milan Chok) Area: 114 families

Chief District Officer Poudel stated that these areas are now 'landless-free'. 'The areas targeted by the administration in its action plan no longer have any temporary shelters or landless settlements remaining.'

Urban Development Registration from Stadium

Along with the eviction drive, the government has also been carrying out management efforts, keeping in mind the humanitarian aspect for the displaced families. After the settlements were demolished, the Ministry of Urban Development has been registering and collecting data of the homeless families at the Dashrath Stadium in Tripureshwor.

According to the ministry's data, a total of 3,984 individuals from 1,124 families have registered their details so far. This data indicates that a large number of displaced people have come forward for the government's management process, although many are still remaining.

Looking at the daily details of the registration process at the stadium; on the first day, April 12, 850 people from 181 families registered. On the second day, April 13, this number increased significantly to 1,534 people from 338 families.

On the third day, April 14, 1,600 people from 373 families submitted their details, and on the fourth day, April 15, an additional 232 families came to register. Thus, nearly four thousand people have been accounted for in four days.

Number of families and individuals registered

Total registered: 3,984 individuals from 1,124 families
- First day (Baisakh 12): 850 people from 181 families
- Second day (Baisakh 13): 1,534 people from 338 families
- Third day (Baisakh 14): 1,600 people from 373 families
- Fourth day (Baisakh 15): 232 families

How is Kathmandu Metropolitan City Managing?

Kathmandu Metropolitan City has taken responsibility for the immediate relief and management of the displaced. The metropolis has made complete free arrangements for food, safe shelter, and medical treatment for those who come to register at the stadium.

'The Metropolitan City is not only concerned about food and shelter but also the mental health of the displaced families and the future of the children. Especially to reduce the mental stress that children and the elderly might experience due to house demolition and relocation, the metropolis has deployed a team of psychotherapists,' said Chief of Metropolitan Police, Bishnu Joshi, to Ratopati.

According to Joshi, the displaced are being housed in an organized manner in various areas of Kathmandu. According to the latest data, 111 people were managed in the Balaju area on Baisakh 12. On Baisakh 13, 69 families comprising 117 people were housed in the New Buspark and Machhapokhari areas.

Similarly, on Baisakh 14, 41 families comprising 67 people were managed in the Samakhushi Buspark area, and 4 people in the Sundhara area. The metropolis is also managing a large number of displaced people at the Radhaswami Satsang building in Sundarighat.

Currently, 50 families are residing at Radhaswami Satsang. According to the data there, there are 46 women, including 3 new mothers and 2 pregnant women. Considering their health condition, the metropolis has arranged a special health team and nutrition. Similarly, there are 36 men, including one person with a disability. The number of children is 48, and there are 5 senior citizens. The metropolis has stated that health workers are available 24 hours a day for the special care of new mothers, pregnant women, and disabled individuals.

'Medical treatment is given high priority, and a mechanism has been put in place to ensure no one is deprived of treatment if they fall ill. A special team is continuously working to prevent negative impacts on the mental health of displaced children,' Joshi said.

Number of Families and Individuals Managed

- Balaju Area (Baisakh 12): 111 people
- New Buspark and Machhapokhari (Baisakh 13): 117 people from 69 families
- Samakhushi Buspark (Baisakh 14): 67 people from 41 families
- Sundhara Area (Baisakh 14): 4 people
- Sundarighat (Radhaswami Satsang Building): Members of 50 families, Women: 46 (including 3 new mothers and 2 pregnant women), Men: 36 (including 1 person with disability), Children: 48, Senior Citizens: 5