Squatter Evictions in Kathmandu Spark Fear Among Riverside Dwellers in Jhapa

The ongoing eviction of squatters in Kathmandu has sent ripples of fear across Nepal, reaching even the eastern district of Jhapa. Residents of Damak Municipality, many of whom have lived on riverbanks and public land for decades, are now living in constant anxiety, fearing that Prime Minister Balendra Shah might extend the demolition drive to their settlements.

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But now I cannot sleep at night, fearing the prime minister might send bulldozers here as well. There is a constant fear that the entire settlement could be cleared at any time.

Chandra Bahadur Baraili, who returned from working in Saudi Arabia, expressed his unease, stating he encouraged his family to vote for Shah but now fears the same leader might displace them. Similarly, Rupa Darji, a resident for 22 years, worries about where she and her family would go if evicted, especially given her inability to afford medical treatment for a chronic ailment.

Budhmaya BK, who has lived in the same area for 35 years and raised her family there, voices the plight of many elderly residents who fear losing their lifelong homes in their old age. With over 6,000 landless people in the Damak area, according to agencies working on land issues, the uncertainty looms large.

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I keep thinking—if we are removed, where will we go?

While local representatives and community leaders have voiced concerns, Mayor Ram Thapa of Damak Municipality stated that surveys are ongoing and identification documents have been distributed to thousands of squatters. However, the fear of sudden action, mirroring the events in Kathmandu, persists among the vulnerable population. This situation highlights the precarious existence of landless communities and the potential for displacement, a concern that resonates deeply within Nepal.

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I have spent my whole life here. Now, in my old age, I fear I may have to leave.