Squatters move belongings out of Thapathali settlement (Pictures)

Nabin Babu Gurung

Kathmandu, April 24

Residents of the squatter settlement in Thapathali, Kathmandu, have begun moving their belongings since Friday morning following the government’s ultimatum to vacate the settlement.

Piles of household items can be seen outside several houses within the settlement, and vehicles loaded with goods have been observed departing the area.

While some people are busy moving their belongings, others are staging a protest in the settlement.

The residents have been protesting since early Friday morning. They are demonstrating with placards and the election manifesto of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party in their hands.

The protesters' placards carry messages such as: “Flip through your manifesto and read, implement what is written,” “Squatters are the government’s responsibility, not a problem,” “Provide land and ownership certificates to the landless,” “Identify genuine squatters,” and “Decision to evict without rehabilitation is unacceptable.”

Gen Z activists, including Monika Niraula, Laxmi Ghimire, Amit Khanal, and Ajay Sodari, are also participating in the protest.