Nationwide Local Bodies Divided Over Encroachment Removal Drive

Kathmandu. The 'bulldozer campaign' initiated by Prime Minister Balendra (Balen) Shah to remove public land and squatter settlements has sent ripples across local levels nationwide. Amidst the nationwide race to remove encroached structures, influenced by Kathmandu, local levels appear divided into two factions. While some local levels consider Balen's activism a 'precedent' and seize the opportunity to accomplish tasks that have been pending for years, others resist, stating that 'driving bulldozers without alternative arrangements is against human sensibility.'

Bulldozer Terror in Big Cities

Birgunj Metropolitan City has started driving bulldozers over encroached structures during road expansion, but its approach appears somewhat softer. Birgunj Metropolitan has called upon those who will become completely landless due to road expansion to contact them within 30 days. The Mayor of the Metropolitan City, Rajeshman Singh, has adopted a policy of recommending relief and management for genuine squatters to the federal government.

Similarly, Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has removed shacks built on government land in front of the High Court. This is an example of local governments becoming active after the influence of Kathmandu, seen in Butwal. The shacks were peacefully demolished under the command of the ward chairman.

Its direct impact is also visible in Biratnagar. The High Court, Biratnagar, has formally written to the local administration and the metropolitan city to remove 43 families of squatters residing on more than one bigha of land in its name.

'Defensive' Stance in Chitwan: Resolve Not to Evict Without Management

While bulldozers are being used in Kathmandu and Butwal, the chiefs of all seven local levels in Chitwan have stood against it. From Bharatpur Metropolitan to Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, the chiefs have put forth the policy of 'management first, then displacement.'

The Palika chiefs of Chitwan have prioritized local needs and humanitarian aspects over the directives of the Home Ministry. Ratnanagar Mayor Pralad Sapkota and Rapti Mayor Shamsher Lama have urged squatters to live without worry and pledged to prioritize the distribution of land ownership certificates.

Bharatpur Metropolitan City's Acting Chief, Chitra Sen Adhikari, has clearly stated, 'We have no immediate plan to remove encroached structures; rather, we are in the process of distributing land ownership certificates.'

The Palika chiefs of Chitwan have prioritized local needs and humanitarian aspects over the directives of the Home Ministry. Ratnanagar Mayor Pralad Sapkota and Rapti Mayor Shamsher Lama have urged squatters to live without worry and pledged to prioritize the distribution of land ownership certificates.

Conflict Between Federal and Local Government in Dang

In Dang, a clear conflict has emerged between the federal government's Home Ministry and the local levels. Although the District Administration Office issued a 21-day notice to vacate the settlements, the chiefs of the local levels have opposed it.

Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan Mayor Tikaram Khadka has warned that they will stand against the federal government's intention to use bulldozers.

'The government is not concerned about managing citizens, it only wants to use bulldozers,' Khadka said, 'If bulldozers are used without management, we will stand with the people.'

The chairpersons of Rapti and Gadhawa Rural Municipalities have also taken the stance that the state should not evict people without guaranteeing proper housing.

Why Are Local Levels Divided?

The National Federation of Rural Municipalities and the Nepal Municipal Association have stated that there are three main reasons behind the division of local levels across the country on the issue of squatter management.

A rural municipality chairman, who is also an official of the Federation, says, 'In big cities, removing structures for road and sewer expansion is essential, but in rural municipalities and small towns, where people have lived on public land for generations, driving bulldozers is challenging from both political and humanitarian perspectives.'

Some municipalities fear that the process will be disrupted if bulldozers are used while the Land Problem Resolution Commission is still functioning. Many Palika chiefs have backed down due to the fear of public anger if bulldozers are used in areas where land surveys have already been completed.

Some elected representatives are using the 'Balen card' to remove encroachments by powerful individuals that have been impossible to remove for years, capitalizing on the public support Balen Shah has received. On the other hand, some understand that others are trying to gain popularity in their areas by opposing the demolition of settlements without management, as stated by a joint secretary at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

Some municipalities fear that the process will be disrupted if bulldozers are used while the Land Problem Resolution Commission is still functioning. Many Palika chiefs have backed down due to the fear of public anger if bulldozers are used in areas where land surveys have already been completed.

Whether to use bulldozers in squatter settlements or provide land ownership certificates has become a challenge for local levels in Nepal. 'On one hand, there is pressure to protect public property, and on the other, there is the responsibility not to push our own citizens onto the streets,' said the joint secretary.