Rajbiraj Municipality Residents Block Office Demanding Land Ownership Certificates

18 Jestha, Saptari – Residents of Rajbiraj Municipality have staged a blockade at the municipal office, demanding their land ownership certificates (red certificates). On Monday, under the leadership of the Struggle Committee, a long-running protest escalated to closing the municipality’s office. Despite repeated assurances, the red certificates have not yet been issued, causing unrest among local informal settlers and squatters who claim to have been residing in the area prior to the municipality’s establishment.

The protesters’ sole demand is to provide the red certificates based on rightful ownership. Khelanand Das, coordinator of the Struggle Committee, stated that after continuous peaceful efforts failed to yield results, they were forced to block the municipality office. He added that the movement will continue until the issuance of the certificates is assured. The committee had previously held sit-ins and other pressure campaigns for 11 consecutive days.

Though the municipality has collected revenue from the land in question, residents express anger over the neglect in delivering the red certificates and have threatened to impose a blockade at the Survey Office as well. The protesters are concerned following a nationwide directive issued by the government under Prime Minister Balendra Shah to clear public land, which has intensified their anxiety. Meanwhile, residents of Bodebarsain Market, who have also submitted land revenue payments to the municipality but have not received certificates, filed a memorandum at the Saptari District Administration Office on 29th Baisakh.