Niranjan Raj Thapa
Kathmandu :
Prime Minister Balen Shah has said that the government will differentiate between genuine squatters and encroachers, noting that there are millions of landless people across the country.
The government is currently moving ahead with plans to clear various squatter settlements in Kathmandu. As preparations intensify to begin evictions from tomorrow, several questions have been raised regarding the process.
Meanwhile, squatters have taken to the streets in protest.
Amid this, Prime Minister Shah clarified through social media, stating, “We will follow due process and distribute land to genuine squatters across the country as soon as possible. This government will provide a permanent solution to this decades-old problem.”
He also mentioned that, beyond the riverbanks of Kathmandu, there are thousands of families who are genuinely suffering.
Questioning public memory, he said, “Have we forgotten how every year floods force thousands of people living along riverbanks in Kathmandu to flee with only their lives, leaving behind all their belongings, and requiring government rescue efforts?”
“This is a long-standing problem that repeats every year. I have consistently written and spoken about the need to ensure safe settlement for these people rather than postponing the issue for future years,” he added.
According to him, the government has taken action now, considering it better to address the issue before disasters occur rather than after.
