NEPALGUNJ: Banke’s Kohalpur Municipality has demolished 751 houses built on encroached public and government land.
The structures, built near the cricket field in Ward-11 of Kohalpur Municipality, were demolished over a period of around four days.
Mayor Purna Prasad Acharya said most residents had already removed their belongings, including doors and windows, before demolition. He added that remaining structures were later cleared by the municipality.
He said the municipality will provide living allowances to verified squatters, while the number of people staying at the temporary holding center is gradually decreasing.
Acharya stated that the eviction was not a matter of choice, adding that initial arrangements such as basic relief distribution were attempted. He said a relief package including rice and lentils worth around Rs 500,000 had been planned but was later postponed due to logistical difficulties, with a notice issued instead.
According to the municipality, details of 102 households have been officially collected so far.
“If possible, some land will be managed for genuine squatters; otherwise, a formal procedure will be followed to provide them with a living allowance,” he said.
Following the demolition drive, affected families have been temporarily housed at the Kohalpur New Bus Park building. The municipality has arranged shelter on three floors, grouping families according to availability.
Many displaced families, largely daily wage earners, said they are facing an acute shortage of food and uncertainty about their future. “I don’t know how long we will have to live like this,” said Prem BK, one of the displaced residents.
They have urged the municipality to at least provide basic ration and drinking water support.
Some women living in the temporary shelter also raised concerns over privacy and living conditions, noting that men and women are sharing the same hall space. Many of the affected families belong to Dalit and Madhesi communities.
The holding center currently houses 279 people, including around 60 children. Officials said the number of families staying there is gradually declining as some make alternative arrangements.
Meanwhile, a team of human rights and legal activists from Banke carried out an on-site monitoring of the holding center. The delegation, led by Senior Advocate Sunil Kumar Shrestha of the Public Concern Lawyers Group, gathered information about the situation of displaced families.
The team also held discussions with Mayor Acharya, municipal officials, and representatives linked to the Land Problem Resolution Commission in Banke.
Officials estimate that more than 53,700 families in Banke are currently landless squatters. With the dissolution of the Squatter Commission, activities such as land surveying, documentation, and revenue-related work have been halted, further deepening uncertainty.
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