Kathmandu's squatter settlements demolished

Security forces under the instructions of Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government began demolishing squatter settlements built along Kathmandu Valley’s riverbanks on Saturday, starting with encampments along the Bagmati in Thapathali and Gairigaun. The razing extended to Manohara on Sunday, where tensions escalated after residents pelted stones at law enforcement, injuring several security personnel.

In Thapathali and Gairigaun, evicted squatters largely, albeit reluctantly, cooperated with officials on Saturday. The government had given residents a final deadline of 7PM on 24 April to evacuate their settlements, with many having nowhere to go with their belongings, including livestock.

Squatter residents of Thapathali, Shantinagar and Manohara are currently being temporarily hosted at Dasrath Stadium in Tirpureswor. In Nagarjun, workers are busy preparing government-owned housing to relocate the unhoused. 

So far, 144 families are said to have been in contact with government officials. Once the government verifies them as ‘genuine squatters’, they will be moved to the units apartment in Nagarjun within two weeks. This will be followed by long-term rehabilitation, according to the official statement.  

As Kathmandu Mayor, Shah had formerly tried to evict in 2022, but was met with much resistance and critcism, from within the UML-NC led coalition government as well as the squatters themselves. 

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has also deployed a team to ensure no human rights are being violated in the process.

 Glimpses from the settlement in Thapathali on Sunday.

See more photos in our gallery.