Increasing Distrust in Government Over Squatter Issues, Leaders Preparing for Protest
Image Source, Nepal Photo Library
Fifty-one-year-old Jhawarlal Uraw recalls that when displaced from the riverside area in Thapathali, Kathmandu, he believed the government under young leaders would not leave them without even a place to hide their heads.
However, after three months of living with his family of six in a government holding center, his trust has begun to waver and he now has concerns about the future.
Initially removed from Thapathali and taken to the holding center in Kirtipur, he and other squatters were later relocated to Sundarijal due to flooding, and currently are residing in Bode.
“We feel as if we are not even citizens of Nepal,” he says, “The government should not have displaced us without providing alternatives. At that time, we hoped the government would assist us, so we couldn’t even protest.”
Nonetheless, Uraw acknowledges that the government has ensured no shortage in food and shelter.
Squatters Preparing for Movement
According to Kumar Karki, president of the National Squatter Front, over 3,600 families displaced from riverside areas in Kathmandu and without shelter in holding centers share similar sentiments to Uraw.
“Only a small number actually stay in holding centers; many cannot even go there to eat. Most remain outside.”
Although the government has repeatedly expressed commitment to solve the problems of squatters displaced in Kathmandu and those living unorganized nationwide, Karki says there has been no actual urgency.
“The government can resolve this immediately if it desires, but is not doing so,” he said. “Therefore, we have concluded that there is no option but to resort to protest. We are preparing to start the movement as soon as the rainy season ends.”
However, Bhavbhadra Bastola, chairman of the Land Issue Resolution Committee, states the government has prioritized the problems of landless squatters and unorganized settlers but that it will take time to see tangible results. He claims to be advancing work with a clear plan.
“It has been 60 days since the committee began work. For one month, we had to formulate internal procedures. No results are visible yet.”
Progress So Far
Image Source, Land Issue Resolving Committee
Chairman Bastola explains that the committee has distributed land ownership certificates to over 100 landless families across four districts so far.
The government commenced this work last month by distributing certificates to 29 landless families in Bardiya.
Currently, more than 1,278,000 applications from landless squatters and unorganized settlers have been submitted to the committee.
Additionally, the committee is collecting applications from those who missed the initial application opportunity.
“Applications are currently being gathered in 66 municipalities,” says Bastola.
“We are requesting and pressuring local wards to update their data in our system. That will make it easier to plan.”
“Though many tasks seem just documentation, we expect results to gradually appear.”
Opposition Concerned About Progress
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Chairman Bastola says the committee plans to certify 300,000 applications of landless squatters and unorganized settlers by mid-August.
Recently, opposition parties in the House of Representatives presented a motion demanding government urgency and an actionable plan on this matter.
“We have submitted the plan to the ministry and aim to distribute certificates in 40 to 50 districts by the upcoming Dashain festival,” Bastola stated. “Next month, an additional 300 to 400 families will receive land ownership certificates.”
However, Kumar Karki of the Squatter Front argues that these recent and ongoing certificate distributions cannot be credited as achievements of the current committee.
“The previous commission had prepared records and completed many processes ahead of this. Some certificates being handed out now are just the result of that groundwork. This cannot be counted as the new committee’s achievement.”
Supporter of the motion and lawmaker for the Labour Culture Party, Aren Rai, expressed optimism about swift problem resolution.
“The squatter issue is a common concern. Even if the government is reluctant, it must address this.”
Before the opposition’s motion discussion, Land Management Minister Pratibha Rawal had stated, “The time this work will take depends on everyone’s cooperation.”
“The process is underway to provide certificates where people currently reside; only lands on the negative list require relocation.”
The Land Issue Resolution Committee has been granted 500 working days to complete its tasks.
Concerns of the Squatters
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Kumar Karki of the Squatter Front emphasizes that land ownership certificates that cannot be registered in the land revenue office are meaningless for them.
“The certificates issued by the Land Issue Resolution Committee hold no significance. Furthermore, these certificates restrict buying and selling for 10 years.”
“It feels like a process designed to confuse and trap us. We have met Minister Rawal and suggested a system that allows registration in the land revenue office, which would be simpler and quicker.”
“However, there is no solid evidence yet of concrete progress.”
On the other hand, committee chairman Bastola claims that despite problems with the previous system, arrangements are now made to register distributed certificates in the land revenue office.
“Previously, certificates reached individuals but were not registered with the land revenue office. Now we have organized to update records within 30 days.”
“The certificates given to 29 families in Bardiya last month have already been updated in the land revenue records.”
“Regarding the 10-year restriction on buying and selling, that is stated in the law.”
“It’s included in the Land Act established by the legislature, not the committee.”
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