Municipalities Condemn Government for Rendering Citizens Homeless Within Their Own Country

From left to right: Basant Basnet, Vishnu Prasad Bhusal, and Bhimalal Adhikari. Various municipalities have voiced opposition against the federal government for demolishing homes built on public land, thereby rendering citizens homeless. Municipalities in Kawasoti, Nawalpur, and Triyuga, Udayapur, have issued statements highlighting the distress caused to residents living on such public lands.

April 23, Kathmandu – Several municipalities have protested the federal government’s actions of demolishing physical structures and leaving citizens homeless within their own country. Through separate statements, they pointed out that the government’s eviction of residents from public land has caused widespread fear and homelessness among the affected citizens.

Kawasoti and Triyuga municipalities are among those raising their voices in protest. In a statement released Wednesday, Kawasoti Mayor Vishnu Prasad Bhusal expressed deep concern, stating, “The federal government, under the pretext of protecting government and public land, has demolished houses and other physical structures built over many years on public land by residents trying to make a living, thereby stirring fear and rendering our citizens homeless within their own country.”

Mayor Bhusal also mentioned that the municipality has already distributed land ownership certificates (Nissas) to facilitate legal documentation for residents.

Similarly, Triyuga Mayor Basant Basnet issued a statement on Monday condemning the fear caused among residents living on public land due to governmental actions. The municipality has also distributed land-use rights certificates (white cards) to aid residents in securing legal ownership.

Both municipalities affirmed their commitment to protecting government and public lands in accordance with existing laws.

Bhimalal Adhikari, Mayor of Madhyabindu Municipality in Nawalpur district, highlighted that, due to systemic weaknesses in the state apparatus, issues of landlessness among Dalits, marginalized communities, and impoverished citizens have remained unresolved for decades. Writing on Facebook, he stated, “Instead of providing policy and procedural solutions to these problems, applying pressure and instilling fear among the affected citizens is even more distressing. My heart aches witnessing the heart-wrenching scenes of children, elderly, sick, disabled, and pregnant women left homeless and helpless.”

Previously, eight municipalities in Bardiya district had jointly opposed the federal government’s decision to evacuate settlements within forest areas. The Rural Municipalities National Federation of Nepal and the Nepal Municipal Association also released a joint statement emphasizing that eviction not only creates fear and anxiety among landless citizens but also increases the risk to their overall security of life.