Nepal Continues Eviction Drive, Bulldozers Clear Manohara Settlements Amidst Clashes

The government's relentless push to clear riverbank settlements, now extending to Manohara in Bhaktapur, underscores a determined effort to reclaim public land and restore ecological balance in the Kathmandu Valley. While authorities frame this as a necessary step to address encroachments and mitigate flood risks, the human cost is undeniable. Hundreds of families, many of whom have lived on these informal settlements for years after migrating for work, face displacement. The scenes of bulldozers razing homes, leaving residents with only essential belongings, are stark reminders of the challenges faced by the urban poor. The government's plan to register and temporarily house displaced families before relocation to designated sites offers a glimmer of hope, but the long-term viability and adequacy of these arrangements remain to be seen. This eviction drive, a continuation of operations in Thapathali, Shantinagar, and Gairigaun, highlights a broader policy to enforce land use regulations, even as it disrupts the lives of vulnerable populations. The process of verifying 'genuine squatters' will be crucial in determining the fate of those affected.

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777 structures in the settlement were targeted as part of the operation.