Butwal Municipality Faces Backlash over Police Use of Force against Business Owners
Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has been accused of using force, physical assault, and confiscating goods from business owners during its campaign to remove sidewalk encroachments. Four major business organizations have condemned the municipal police for their use of force and unauthorized seizure of goods, demanding clear guidelines be established. Police Chief Jayashwar Pandey claims that only items obstructing sidewalks were removed and that they acted in self-defense when met with resistance. (6 Baisakh, Butwal)
Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City has recently launched an operation to clear sidewalk encroachments. Various videos circulating show municipal police allegedly applying force, assaulting business operators, and confiscating goods without proper documentation during the clearance efforts. According to business owners, police forcibly removed goods, used punches during altercations, and fractured fingers. They argue that these actions were taken without clear protocols or records, adversely affecting their morale amid rising inflation and economic downturn.
Vijay Raymajhi, owner of City Bag House located in Rammandir Line, shared his grievances, stating that although his shop did not encroach on the sidewalk, police forcibly removed a temporary plastic sunshade he had installed over his shutter. He said, “During the clash with the police, I was punched, breaking the finger on my right hand. We received no prior public notice prohibiting the use of such sunshades.”
“Even after paying taxes to the state, the municipality treated us like criminals. Now I am torn between continuing my business or shutting down and moving abroad,” he lamented. “Instead of acting as a protector, the municipality resorted to violence and failed to ensure our security.” Mohammad Mustafa of Himalaya Foam House complained that the municipality enforced sidewalk management in an authoritarian manner reminiscent of Rana rule, forcibly confiscating goods without documentation. He added, “Despite prior announcements, clear standards for sidewalks and permissible items were never defined. The municipality should have communicated these guidelines.”
Business Associations Raise Concerns: Following the forceful removal of goods from business owners during sidewalk clearance, four prominent business associations in Butwal jointly voiced their opposition. Prakash Dhakal, President of Rupandehi Trade Association; Hariprasad Aryal of Butwal Industry and Commerce Association; Krishnaprasad Parajuli of Rupandehi Industry Association; and Loknath Panthi of Butwal Industry and Trade Association issued a joint press release condemning the municipality’s use of force and unauthorized confiscation of goods.
Police Chief Jayashwar Pandey defended the actions by emphasizing that only items obstructing sidewalks were removed, and that police responded after being assaulted. He noted the campaign will continue for a few more days and that data on the quantity of confiscated goods is yet to be compiled. “We removed items from areas invading the sidewalks after public announcements and followed the orders of the municipal chief. We retaliated only when attacked,” Pandey stated.