Former Land Commission Officials Accuse Balen Shah-Led Government of Worsening Squatter Problem

Kathmandu. Former officials of the National Land Commission have accused the government led by Balendra Shah (Balen) of further complicating the squatter problem instead of solving it. At a press conference organized in the capital on Friday, they claimed that the government has created 'terror' by bulldozing squatter settlements with the support of the army. They believe that demolishing settlements when 300,000 landless and squatters were about to receive land ownership certificates is an irresponsible step by the government.

Former Chairman of the National Land Commission, Keshav Niraula, expressed anger, stating that bulldozers were used against the constitutional right to housing of citizens. Niraula, who is also a leader of the Nepali Congress, said that while preparations were being made to distribute land ownership certificates to over 300,000 people during his tenure, parliament was dissolved, and now squatters are being pushed out into the open sky. He also announced that they would struggle against this 'unconstitutional' move by the government.

Similarly, former Chairman of the Land Problem Resolution Commission and CPN-UML leader Hari Rijal said that bulldozing without alternatives and prior notice is inhumane. He accused the government led by RSP of making the squatter problem a subject of cheap popularity, stating that the oppression of the poor in the name of city beautification is unacceptable.

According to Rijal, applications from over 1.2 million families have been registered in the commission's system, and revenue of over 1.16 billion has already been collected by providing ownership certificates to 9,300 families previously.

Former Vice-Chairman of the National Land Commission, Nahendra Khadka, objected, stating that the government has used bulldozers in violation of the Supreme Court's interim order. He also raised questions about the army's role, mentioning that local government chiefs are being threatened by the army.

CPN leader Khadka informed that the Congress, UML, and his party will jointly resist this move by the government. Former officials associated with political parties have expressed a common commitment against the 'bulldozer terror' happening in squatter settlements.