KATHMANDU: CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has commented on the government’s ongoing eviction of settlements along the Bagmati riverbank in Thapathali, urging authorities to ensure a humane and dignified solution for affected families.
Taking to Facebook, he said that while the eviction is being carried out under official orders, the suffering of long-settled working-class families must also be acknowledged.
He stated that the labour and contribution of such families have played a role in building and developing cities, adding that celebrating only the enforcement of rules would be insufficient without understanding their displacement.
Pokharel stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to provide respectful alternatives while addressing the pain and hardship of affected households.
Recalling previous efforts, he noted that earlier governments had initiated legal frameworks and processes through land commissions to address issues of squatters and unmanaged settlements.
He further said that the current government should also respect public trust and ensure a just solution through a humane approach.
Warning of possible consequences, Pokharel said that frustration among citizens who feel their trust has been broken could eventually turn into unrest if not addressed properly.
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