Bulldozer Rolls in Thapathali: Victims Cry Foul ‘State of Hitler-Style Repression’

Kathmandu — After the government began demolishing the squatter settlement in Thapathali, victims have expressed intense anger. They accused the Balen government of deploying bulldozers under the cover of security personnel, evicting the settlement in a “sycophant media” style, and labeling them as “mobilized” for their protests.

One victim said over the phone, “We were suppressed by calling us brokers and mobilized elements. A Hitler-style approach was used. The bulldozer has come, we couldn’t do anything.” The evicted squatters are now in a state of uncertainty. They said they were removed by force without any alternative housing arrangements being made.

Meanwhile, the Ujjalo Nepal Party led by Kulman Ghising has urged the government to make proper and long-term arrangements for the squatters, pointing out that this issue is directly connected to the fundamental right to housing guaranteed by Nepal’s constitution, human dignity, social justice, and human rights.

The party issued a statement drawing the government’s attention to finding a peaceful and constitutional solution. Meanwhile, the government has stated that clearing encroached land is its duty and that legal procedures are being followed. However, no concrete plan for the rehabilitation of the displaced has been made public so far.