Human Rights Commission Team Active to Assess Situation of Squatters

The team from the National Human Rights Commission has visited Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan in Kirtipur to assess the situation of squatters. On Saturday, the Nepal Police and municipal police evicted squatters from Thapathali and Gairidhara areas and relocated them to Satsang buildings in Nagarjun and Kirtipur. Following recommendations made by the commission in 2012 (2069 BS), the government was directed to identify squatters and arrange alternative housing before any management action is taken. (April 26, Kathmandu)

The commission’s team is actively working in the field to understand the conditions faced by squatters. This morning, they visited Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan in Kirtipur. On Saturday, squatters were removed from Thapathali and Gairidhara by a joint operation of the Nepal Police and municipal police and taken to locations including Satsang buildings in Nagarjun and Kirtipur. The team was deployed for monitoring in response to allegations of human rights violations.

Dr. Tikaram Pokhrel, spokesperson for the commission, confirmed that the team was deployed to investigate the squatters’ situation. On April 24, the commission sent a letter urging implementation of its 2012 recommendations regarding squatter management. According to those earlier recommendations, squatters are to be identified and provided with alternative housing arrangements before any eviction takes place. Furthermore, the government was instructed to avoid excessive use of force and to proceed with restraint when clearing homes and temporary structures on encroached land.