BHAKTAPUR: Families affected by the demolition of a squatter settlement in Bhaktapur’s Manohara area have staged a protest demanding immediate resettlement.
The affected families organised a corner meeting around four months after the settlement was demolished without an alternative arrangement. The Joint National Squatters’ Front Nepal, Kathmandu Valley Special Committee, led the protest.
The front has given the government until August 28 to address its demands, warning that it will begin an indefinite peaceful hunger strike if they are not met.
The protesters have put forward three main demands: permanent resettlement with land ownership, compensation for damage caused to houses and belongings during the demolition, and an immediate dialogue with affected families followed by a time-bound resettlement plan.
The front has also called for holding centres to be used only as temporary arrangements rather than long-term solutions, with special protection for women, children, senior citizens and people with disabilities staying there.
It has announced a series of protest programmes, including submitting memorandums to local authorities and land-related committees, drawing the attention of the National Human Rights Commission, holding a protest assembly at Maitighar Mandala on August 20 and organising an interaction with civil society, political parties, human rights activists, lawyers, intellectuals and journalists on August 23.
The front said landless and squatter families living in areas including Thapathali, Shantinagar, Gairigaun, Manohara and Jadibuti were forcibly displaced without alternative arrangements or completion of legal procedures.
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