Pokhara Mayor Receives Report on Squatter Identification

Pokhara. A committee formed to identify squatters residing in the Pokhara bus park area has submitted a report to Mayor Dhanraj Acharya. The committee prepared the report after studying for about a month and a half.

The study by the committee, led by Krishna Tiwari, chief of the Metropolis's Administration Division and coordinator of the committee, showed that 233 families in the bus park area also own land elsewhere. During the investigation, 574 applications recommended by the ward office were studied in detail.

The committee prepared the report by studying government digital systems of the District Administration Office and the Land Administration Office. Tiwari said that the details of the concerned individuals were verified through the central citizenship information system of the District Administration Office and the land records information system of the Land Administration Office.

From this data, it was found that some applicants own land elsewhere. "We have prepared this report using technology. By accessing central-level systems for study, land has been found elsewhere for some," he said.

During the study, it was demanded that squatters and unmanaged residents should be managed properly before being removed. They requested that a management package be brought within Ward No. 9 if possible, or in a convenient location. Their demands have also been presented as suggestions in the report.

Along with this, the Metropolitan City has formed a separate committee to find land for squatter management. Although the committee recommended 6 places in the first phase, further time has been extended for recommendations as some lands fall under the land ownership of other organizations.

The Metropolitan City stated that the committee, formed under the coordination of Radhika Shahi Yogi, chairperson of Ward No. 17, is searching for additional land. Similarly, another committee formed under the coordination of engineer Surendra Poudel to study the technical aspects of the recommended land is also carrying out its work, the Metropolis informed.

Besides this, another committee has been formed for judicial resolution. The report submitted to Mayor Acharya will be presented for discussion in the upcoming Metropolitan Executive meeting. The Metropolis has stated that after the executive discusses the report and takes ownership, further work will be carried out for squatter management and protection of the bus park area land.