Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma Criticizes Government's Response to Squatter Evictions and Youth Despair

Kathmandu. Nepali Congress Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma has stated that the government is trying to suppress voices through the use of force instead of finding solutions to problems. Sharma made such remarks on Monday, posting a video message on social media Facebook, commenting on the issue of squatters being removed and kept in holding centers and the self-immolation of Ganesh Nepali.

Vice President Sharma stated that the state's role is primarily responsible for the difficult lives of squatters taking shelter, especially in holding centers in Kirtipur within the Kathmandu Valley, and for the situation where young people are taking extreme steps due to despair in recent times.

Vice President Sharma accused the government of failing to provide even minimal humanitarian assistance to these citizens who are forced to live like refugees in their own country, as small children, new mothers, and the elderly among the squatters displaced from their homes during the monsoon season are suffering from hunger and disease in the holding centers.

Sharma said that the situation has become more tense with the incident where the police have taken into custody young people who were peacefully raising their voices and asking questions to solve the problems of the citizens in the holding centers.

Sharma said that due to the lack of employment, management weaknesses, and distrust towards the state, hope is diminishing among the youth, and this despair has become a matter of concern for the entire society.

He urged the Prime Minister and concerned bodies to come out of the confines of Singha Durbar and Parliament and go directly to the squatters and despairing youth.

Recalling the commitments made in the past, Sharma mentioned that the time has come for the Prime Minister to ensure in practice that 'no one will remain hungry' and 'no squatter will have to lose their life.' He stated that this issue should be addressed immediately, considering it a humanitarian and national crisis, rather than a subject of political wrangling.