United National Squatter's Front Nepal Protests Arrest of Dambar Bahadur Tamang

Kathmandu. The United National Squatter's Front Nepal has started a protest demanding the release of Dambar Bahadur Tamang, who was arrested on the charge of giving an expression to 'enter Singha Durbar with a Khukuri' targeting Prime Minister Balen Shah.

On Monday, Tamang's wife Gayatri and activists affiliated with the Revolutionary Communist Party Nepal and the United National Squatter's Front Nepal demonstrated at Maitighar Mandala, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Tamang.

In a press release issued by the Front on Monday, it was alleged that 28-year-old Dambar Tamang, residing at the holding center in Kirtipur, was illegally arrested by the police through deception.

According to the statement, he was called out from the holding center on Asar 14 with the pretext of 'come with documents, we will help you,' and was then detained at the Singha Durbar Police Station in Anamnagar. The Front has called this an illegal, undemocratic, and human rights-violating act.

According to the Front, Tamang, who was displaced after the state removed the settlements of landless and unorganized residents, had been unwell for some time. The Front claims that it is unjust to arrest him based on some expressions he made in a fit of rage while under mental stress due to lack of proper treatment and livelihood.

The Front has demanded the immediate unconditional release of Tamang, provision of free treatment and livelihood for sick and helpless citizens in the holding center, and a halt to the bulldozer operations in squatter settlements without alternative arrangements.

The Front has also warned of phased and strong protests if their demands are not met. Meanwhile, the police have stated that Tamang was arrested on the charge of giving threatening expressions to the Prime Minister and that necessary investigation has been initiated.