Nepal sees anti-government protests over demolition of squatter settlements

Hundreds of landless squatters staged an anti-government demonstration here on Thursday, protesting against the eviction drive carried out across Nepal, including the capital.

The protesters, who were agitating under the banner of the Landless Squatters Front at Maitighar Mandala area, demanded compensation for families whose settlements were bulldozed by authorities with the deployment of armed security personnel.

They carried placards reading “No Balen government, no bulldozer”, “Stop forcible eviction, halt bulldozer terror” and “We need justice, no bulldozer”.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Non-governmental Organisations Nepal, in a statement, said its serious attention has been drawn towards "inhuman treatment, disrespectful behaviour and arrest" of landless squatters by the state, allegedly undermining basic human rights and constitutional guarantees related to housing.

The federation urged the government to deal with the squatters in a humanitarian manner and ensure accommodation, education, healthcare and livelihood support for the displaced families.

Chairman of the State Management and Good Governance Committee under the House of Representatives, Hari Dhakal, informed a committee meeting that the government was considering providing a monthly allowance of Nepali Rs 15,000 to each evicted squatter family towards house rent.

In the Kathmandu Valley alone, around 4,000 structures belonging to landless people have been demolished by authorities over the past three weeks, displacing at least 15,000 people, according to officials.

Opposition parties have strongly raised the issue in the ongoing Parliament session and demanded an immediate halt to the eviction drive, besides seeking shelter, food and other necessary arrangements for the displaced families.

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