KATHMANDU: With the decision to build a 21-story view tower at the Old Bus Park in the capital, the bus park had been shifted to the Khula Manch.
The government had awarded the contract to contractor Jaleshwor Swochchhanda Bkoi Builders P. Ltd. The company constructed temporary sheds inside the park and rented them out to the people in general.
Locals and heritage conservationists protested against the construction accusing the company of encroaching the Khula Manch area.
Following the protest from all quarters, the sheds built in the Khula Manch are had been removed. A total of 40 sheds had been constructed.
A few days after the sheds were removed, one ropani of Guthi land next to the place where the bus park is located was encroached upon. Land mafias have been amassing millions of rupees by renting out the Guthi land to individuals for business purposes. In the year 2018, the Guthi Sansthan had assigned Amrita Bhattarai with the responsibility to look after the land.
Bhattarai was assigned to look after Duimaju Temple. She rented out the Duimaju Temple premises to individuals for business purposes.
Kathmandu Metropolitan City on February 22, 2018, had given permission to build sheds as per the agreement reached with the Guthi Santhan Branch Office, Kathmandu.
Land mafias have been amassing millions of rupees by renting out the Guthi land to individuals for business purposes.
Marin Kumar International company, on January 31, was awarded the contract to construct sheds on the premises of the temple. Bhattarai has rented out the sheds to a total of 17 individuals.
There are 17 shops altogether on the temple premises now. Shopkeepers, however, claim that they have been using the sheds fulfilling due legal procedures.
Metropolis monitors the site
Deputy Mayor Hari Prabha Khadgi of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City inspected Duimaju Temple on Wednesday. “Open space should be kept open,” said Khadgi during the monitoring. “This place is important from the cultural and religious point of view, it should not be used for business purposes. This should be removed at the earliest.”
We never expected disputes then: Ward chair
Shopkeepers had reached the ward office to register their shops on the premises of Duimaju Temple. The ward chair had signed the document. Talking to Khabarhub, Ward Chair Bhairam Khadgi said he never imagined that it would invite disputes if the permission was officially granted to run shops on the premises of the temple.
“They came to get their shops registered. The disputes cropped up,” said Khadgi, adding, “When Manoj Bhetwal constructed sheds, the heritage conservationists protested the construction. Then the business closed down on the Duimaju premises following the removal of the sheds.”
Locals began to up the ante against the shops after they resumed their operation following a short-term closure.
Save Khula Manch campaign
Heritage conservation campaigners have been raising their voices against the encroachment of the Kula Manch time and again. “Historically important Taleju Bhawani has close relation with Duimaju Temple,” said Sushan Baidhya, a coordinator of Save Duimaju Temple campaign.” It is believed to be empowering Taleju Bhawani.” It is a religious site for Hindu devotees.
“Our complaint is not with the shopkeepers but with the government authorities who have misused their power during their stint,” said Baidhya while recalling past protests.
What does Guthi Sansthan say?
Chief Executive Officer Narayan Chaudhari said that shops would be closed by revoking the agreement reached since they are operating on a contract basis. Both the campaigners and Deputy Mayor Khadgi of the Kathmandu metropolis had visited the Guthi Sansthan on Wednesday.
Shopkeepers lack space for businesses
Chandra Yogi of Sindhuli had started business on the premises of Duimaju Temple from the third week of April. The board meeting of the Guthi Santhan had decided to rent out the temple premises to individuals for business purposes.
“We started investing in the business after Amrita Bhattarai rented it out to us. We will quit if the decision to remove the structure comes from the higher authority,” said Yogi.
We are running businesses by fulfilling existing legal procedures. Ward chair had signed the document while registering our business, said another shopkeeper.
Shopkeepers maintained that they have contract letters and been paying taxes in line with the law.
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