All Nepal Squatters Union Announces East-West Highway Blockade

Kathmandu. All Nepal Squatters Union has announced to block the East-West Highway for 5 hours tomorrow, Baishakh 31, for the rights and justice of squatters across the country.

Giving information in a press conference organized in the capital's Dialogue Dabali on Wednesday, the union informed that the highway will be blocked from 5 am to 10 am. The union stated that this step has been taken to protest the bulldozer terror and displacement by the government side in squatter settlements.

Nahendra Khadka, in-charge of All Nepal Squatters Union, close to the Nepali Communist Party, appealed to all sides to cooperate in the announced highway blockade program. He urged everyone to participate as this program is not just for a specific party or organization but for the common rights of squatters across the country.

Khadka said, 'It is necessary to give a message of unity of squatters across the country through the blockade, which is believed to be a milestone in rights. Government unauthorized bulldozer terror has forced people to commit suicide and caused property damage worth billions, which needs to be protested.'

Union Chairman Amar Pariyar requested transport entrepreneurs, security agencies, and the administration to cooperate in this initial struggle for the rights of the poor people. He demanded the government to find a permanent solution by managing land for the squatters instead of keeping them in holding centers.

United Citizens Party Chairman Dalmardan Kami expressed anger, stating that the current government has defied the housing rights of citizens and the orders of the Supreme Court. He even accused Balen Shah of being a dictator rather than a guardian of the people.

Other squatter organizations have also expressed solidarity with the announced highway blockade program. Nepal Squatters and Unorganized Settlements Union Chairman Rajkumar Pandey, close to Nepali Congress, called on members from all 77 districts to come out in struggle.

Similarly, Arjun Kunwar, Chairman of the Squatters Union close to JSP and General Secretary of the United Squatters Front, said that bulldozing squatters without alternatives is wrong and appealed for support in the blockade.

According to All Nepal Squatters Union General Secretary Prakash Kharel, along with the East-West Highway blockade tomorrow, a joint demonstration will also be held at Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu. Union Vice-President Lila Moktan mentioned that the blockade is not their desire but a compulsion to protect citizens' rights. Squatter leaders have warned the government to take their demands seriously through this movement.