Lawmaker Raises Concerns Over Janakpur Demolition Drive, Cites Fear Among Poor

Lawmaker Manish Jha has voiced concerns in Nepal's Parliament regarding a demolition drive in Janakpur aimed at clearing structures built around public ponds. Jha, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, highlighted that bulldozers have been active since Saturday, leading to the removal of around 65 houses.

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There is a kind of fear in Janakpur, and there is also a suspicion that perhaps only the settlements of poor people will be removed while the powerful will be left untouched.

Speaking during a House of Representatives meeting, Jha noted the growing apprehension among Janakpur residents. He expressed suspicion that the campaign might disproportionately affect poorer communities, leaving powerful encroachers untouched. "There is a kind of fear in Janakpur, and there is also a suspicion that perhaps only the settlements of poor people will be removed while the powerful will be left untouched," he stated.

Jha mentioned coordinating with the Guthi Sansthan, an organization managing trusts and land, and was assured that action would also be taken against influential individuals. Notices are expected within 15 days for hotels, parking areas, and hospitals built on encroached pond land. He also pointed to private individuals illegally leasing and collecting rent from public land.

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We are grateful, on behalf of the people of Janakpur, for the attention of the federal government and the Prime Minister to the work currently underway. But we would again like to request that this campaign and its action should not target only the poor.

Referencing a 2005 report led by Bhojraj Ghimire, Jha stated that approximately 950 bighas of land in Janakpur were identified as encroached, acquired, or misused. The current demolition drive is reportedly based on this report. Jha thanked the federal government and the Prime Minister for their attention but urged for equal treatment under the law. "All should be treated equally, and the campaign to protect and publicly reclaim the 950 bighas of land that have been encroached upon in Janakpur should succeed," he said.

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All should be treated equally, and the campaign to protect and publicly reclaim the 950 bighas of land that have been encroached upon in Janakpur should succeed.