Squatters Displaced by Flood at Kirtipur Holding Center Express Outrage Over Unmet Government Promises

Kathmandu. The families dependent on the holding center in Kirtipur, where Kathmandu's squatters were relocated, are in distress after floods entered the center. The victims have expressed anger, stating that the government's commitment to permanent management within 15 days has not been fulfilled even after three months, and they have been kept in an unsafe location.

The flood began to enter the center around 12:40 AM. The sudden influx of water put the children, the elderly, and the sick present there at further risk. Victim Dalmardan Kami accused that only a single sweet was given as a snack.

He complained that the victims were not even allowed to go to their own residences. He stated that they could not sleep all night due to the flood and that they now have no option but to die.

He said, 'How long will this kind of barbarity continue? It is time for us to die, to be cremated, to jump into the river. There are mothers and sisters suffering from pneumonia and kidney disease. We are not allowed to meet our relatives.'

According to local victim Kanchhimaya Ghlan, when the water entered while they were sleeping, it was difficult to save even their clothes and food. Due to the flood, most of the bedding and daily necessities were completely soaked and destroyed.

She said that after the flood entered, she could not pick up any belongings except an umbrella and the mobile phone in her hand. She mentioned that security personnel arrived for rescue at the center only at 3 AM. She said that she had her house demolished and was brought here for 15 days, adding, 'We also have a desire to live, we also have children, if the government had been in our place, they would have known. The government did not understand our problem. We are not dogs or cats. We had not built houses encroaching on anyone's titled land.'

Another victim woman questioned what the government intended to do by bringing them here for 15 days and not providing proper management. She warned that people in the government should remember that they too have to die one day. She complained that the government was oppressing them. Another victim alleged that the government brought them here with the intention that the water would flood and the squatters would flee on their own. She stated that if the government had managed them, the current situation would not have arisen.

She said, 'Our lives are ruined because of this government. The government should remember that those in power also have to die one day. Why are you deceiving us like this?'

Another victim, Dambar Tamang, informed that the flood caused damage to his belongings worth approximately one lakh rupees. He said that the children had to walk barefoot as they had no slippers.

He said, 'We couldn't even take out our belongings, everything was buried in mud. Security personnel did not arrive in time for rescue, we saved our own lives.'

Since there are patients with heart disease, kidney disease, and asthma in the center, their health condition is becoming critical due to the cold and damp environment. The residents of the settlement have accused the government of abandoning them after giving assurances.

According to them, although they were brought here for 15 days, no concrete management has been done for three months. They also complained that the security personnel obstructed them from going out and treated them inhumanely.

Meanwhile, National Independent Party leader Ojashwi Raj Thapa admitted that there were some technical weaknesses in the management. He said that arrangements for food, bedding, blankets, and health services are currently being made for those affected.

He said, 'It is true that the flood has caused problems, and the state must take responsibility for it. We are currently focused on fulfilling immediate basic needs and identifying a place for long-term management.'

These squatter families, who are without safe shelter during the monsoon, have demanded immediate proper management and compensation for the damages. The situation could become even more dire if the government does not solve the problem sensitively.