The government has clarified that it will proceed with clearing encroached public and government land only after identifying genuine landless squatters and ensuring their safe resettlement, and stated that it remains firm on this plan.
Acknowledging the fear among genuine landless squatters, the government has urged them remain assured. In the context of the approaching monsoon season, it launched a special campaign starting April 25 targeting high-risk settlements along the Bagmati River and its tributaries in the Kathmandu Valley, which are affected by floods and inundation every year.
Prioritizing the safety of lives and property, the government has already completed the evacuation of vulnerable settlements in Thapathali, Shantinagar, Gairigaun, and Gothatar Buddha Chowk and Manohara Tole in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality.
Minister for Urban Development Sunil Lamsal said that the riverbank settlements at high risk of floods during the monsoon were clearly solely from a humanitarian safety perspective.
Minister Lamsal also expressed commitment that in other areas, no eviction process will move forward until a proper framework for identifying and managing landless people is prepared, urging genuine squatter families to remain assured.
This campaign is being implemented in line with a government policy decision. A Cabinet meeting held on March 27 approved a “100-point Governance Reform Agenda,” which includes clear provisions to protect public land, create digital records, and strictly prevent new encroachments.
To implement this policy, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration issued a circular on April 30 to all local governments across the country. Stating that local bodies are primarily responsible for protecting public property within their jurisdictions under the Local Government Operation Act, 2017, the ministry has instructed them to identify landless squatters and prepare concrete plans for their safe management.
The ministry has emphasized safeguarding their basic human rights during the resettlement process. Local governments have been clearly directed to ensure safe housing, healthcare, nutritious food, protection of privacy, and women- and disabled-friendly facilities and security arrangements.
Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration Pratibha Rawal reiterated that the government is committed to clearing public land only after proper identification and management of landless people, stressing that this is a sensitive issue requiring responsible and humane action by local governments.
Further clarifying the matter, the Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued a circular to all District Administration Offices. It has stated that local governments must prepare plans for identification and management of landless squatters and inform the locals before carrying out eviction operations.
The ministry also clarified that District Administration Offices will provide security support based on the local governments’ demands and plans only when necessary.
According to Deepa Dahal, the prime minister’s press advisor and research expert, the government is moving forward with protecting public property and ensuring dignified resettlement of genuine landless squatters in a balanced and humane manner.
“Genuine landless squatters currently residing on public or government land have no reason to worry. The government is working in a planned manner to ensure their safe and dignified management,” she said.
