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🇳🇵 Nepal /Culture & Society

Eviction drive enters second phase, monastery demolished

From Kathmandu Post · (4m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Authorities in Kathmandu began the second phase of an eviction drive targeting informal settlements along riverbanks.
  • Demolitions occurred in Balkhu, Bansighat, and Sankhamul, with security forces overseeing the process and assisting residents' evacuation.
  • A registered monastery, the Sange Chhoiling Gumba, was also demolished despite pleas to spare it on Buddha Jayanti, drawing criticism from its chairperson.

The Kathmandu Post reports on the commencement of the second phase of the eviction drive aimed at clearing "unmanaged settlements" along the riverbanks of the Kathmandu Valley. Early Friday morning, demolition activities took place in Balkhu, Bansighat, and Sankhamul. The operation is being conducted under heavy security, with Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, and municipal police deployed to manage the situation and assist residents in vacating their homes. The Kathmandu District Administration Office had issued a deadline for residents to leave by Friday, prompting many to begin dismantling their structures voluntarily.

A notable aspect of this phase is the demolition of the Sange Chhoiling Gumba in Balkhu. Despite requests from the monastery's authorities to postpone the demolition, particularly as it fell on Buddha Jayanti, the structure was razed. The Gumba chairperson, Kapure Tamang, expressed dismay, stating that the Buddha statue was left in a poor condition and that the monastery was officially registered in October 2021. The drive also saw the demolition of a petrol pump within the settlement and other temporary structures.

We had at least requested them not to demolish it on Buddha Jayanti, but they still brought in the dozer. The Buddha statue has been left in a sorry state.

— Kapure TamangGumba chairperson Kapure Tamang commenting on the demolition of the Sange Chhoiling Gumba.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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