Seven Structures Demolished on Public Land in Lahan, Locals Accuse Municipality of Bias

Dragon Media Correspondent

Lahan Municipality in Siraha has demolished seven houses and temporary structures built on public land in the New Bazaar area, using excavators after occupants allegedly failed to comply with repeated notices to vacate the site.

The municipality began the demolition drive on Sunday in the Gudari Hatiya area of Lahan–5, covering public land extending eastward from the entrance of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation’s Lahan office toward Hanuman Temple.

Authorities had earlier issued a three-day notice instructing people living in or operating businesses from the structures to vacate the area. After the deadline passed without compliance, the municipality demolished seven structures in the first phase.

Some local residents and traders have expressed dissatisfaction with the action. They accused the municipal leadership of selectively demolishing only seven structures despite the presence of a much larger number of houses and sheds in the area, alleging that people close to the authorities were being protected.

Lahan Mayor Mahesh Prasad Chaudhary rejected the accusations of favoritism. He said the municipality had not protected anyone and that other structures built on public land would also be removed gradually.

According to Chaudhary, the municipality has constructed three buildings with a total of 72 rooms on around two bighas of municipal land. The plan is to rent those rooms to traders currently operating in the New Bazaar area as part of a broader market management program.

Traders whose houses and sheds were demolished have demanded proper assessment and compensation, claiming that their goods and property were damaged during the operation.

The municipality has said the campaign is aimed at protecting public land and improving market management. It has also maintained that the same process will be applied in phases to other unauthorized structures in the area.