Susta Residents Return Home After Protests in Kathmandu

Butwal. Residents of the Susta area of Nawalparasi, who protested in Kathmandu demanding an end to border encroachment and the provision of citizenship and land deeds, have returned to their villages. Following their return, discussions were held at the District Administration Office on Monday regarding the implementation of the Home Ministry's directives.

The discussion was attended by the Chief District Officer Deepakraj Nepal, and chiefs of the Armed Police Force and Nepal Police. Assistant Chief District Officer of Nawalparasi, Poshanraj Bhandari, informed Ratopati that discussions were held on strengthening border security and advancing the citizenship distribution process in accordance with the Home Ministry's directives.

The protestors, who had been staging a sit-in and demonstration in Kathmandu since Tuesday, returned to Susta on Sunday. On Monday, a 12-member task force led by the protest coordinator Babu Khan visited the District Administration Office.

The Chief District Officer informed that the manpower of the Armed Police and Nepal Police has been increased in the Susta area and patrols will be further intensified as needed. The administration also stated that a letter has been sent to the rural municipality to collect detailed information on the number of households in the Susta area and the number of stateless individuals for citizenship distribution.

Following the discussion at the District Administration Office, a team of Susta residents also visited the rural municipality. There, it was agreed to form a team comprising two employees from the ward, one representative from the Armed Police, and one representative from the Nepal Police to collect details of stateless individuals, informed coordinator Babu Khan. According to him, the work of collecting details is planned to begin on Asar 26.

The Home Ministry had previously directed the relevant bodies to deploy additional security personnel in the Susta area, considering its security sensitivity, to collect details of individuals who have not received citizenship, and to provide citizenship after completing the necessary legal procedures.

More than 50 Susta residents had participated in the protest in Kathmandu with three main demands: to stop border encroachment, to protect land, and to provide citizenship and land deeds to the locals who have been residing there for years.