KATHMANDU: A monastery and a temple were demolished in Balkhu on the day of Buddha Jayanti as part of an ongoing drive to remove structures built on encroached public land.
The Sange Choiling Gumba and the Pathibhara Devi temple, located within a squatter settlement, were torn down using excavators on Friday, coinciding with Baishakh Shukla Purnima.
Locals said they had requested authorities to avoid demolition on Buddha Jayanti, highlighting the cultural and religious sensitivity of the day.
The monastery, registered on October 30, 2021, was among the structures removed during the campaign targeting illegal settlements.
Officials from Kathmandu Metropolitan City said the demolition was carried out as part of efforts to clear encroached public land.
Authorities stated that Buddha statues and other important items were safely removed before the demolition took place.
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