Nepal Government Initiates Eviction of Riverside Squatters in Kathmandu Valley Amid Contrasting Assessments
Introduction
On April 25, 2025, the government of Nepal, led by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, commenced the demolition of informal settlements along the riverbanks of Kathmandu Valley. The operation, which had been attempted previously during Shah's tenure as mayor, proceeded without reported incidents but has elicited divergent reactions from residents and human rights organizations.
Main Body
The eviction drive follows a prior attempt on November 28, 2022, when Shah, then mayor of Kathmandu, sought to clear the Thapathali settlement. That effort resulted in a violent confrontation that left 36 individuals injured, including the municipal police chief. Shah subsequently sought support from multiple home ministers but failed to secure sufficient cooperation from the federal government. The current operation, now undertaken with the authority of the prime minister, involves coordination among the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force. The demolition began in the early hours of April 25, with residents having been instructed to vacate by the evening of April 24. The first phase targets settlements in Thapathali, Manohara, and the Sinamangal-Gairigaun areas. According to Bishnu Prasad Joshi, chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police, the authorities are clearing illegal settlements from government land and have offered assistance to residents lacking alternative accommodation. The eviction proceeded peacefully, with residents transporting belongings via small trucks. Prime Minister Shah defended the operation on social media, stating that the removal was necessary to relocate citizens from unorganized and flood-prone areas. He emphasized that the government would differentiate between genuine squatters and encroachers, and pledged to distribute land to eligible families. Shah also noted that the relocation would improve Kathmandu's drainage system and address the pollution of rivers. He characterized the initiative as part of a long-term solution to a recurring problem, referencing annual flood risks that force residents to flee. The eviction is aligned with a 100-point roadmap that includes a nationwide digital survey and verification of landless squatters within 60 days, with resolution through relocation and land allocation within 1,000 days. Reactions among residents varied. Subhadra Karki, a Thapathali resident, expressed support for the drive but called for proper investigation to distinguish genuine squatters from those who own property elsewhere. Another resident, Dambar Bahadur Tamang, deemed the decision acceptable, citing the fear of floods. Conversely, Puspa Kaasai, a 65-year-old who had lived in the area for three decades, expressed uncertainty about her living situation, stating that she did not know where to go. The eviction has thus generated a spectrum of responses, from approval to anxiety. The National Human Rights Commission wrote to the government seeking an update on the implementation of its previous recommendations to identify genuine squatters and arrange alternative housing. Amnesty International issued a statement characterizing the forced eviction as reflecting a dangerous erosion of the rule of law and an increasingly authoritarian approach. The organization warned that evicting families without prior verification, meaningful consultation, or assurance of alternative housing risked transforming a governance challenge into a preventable human rights crisis. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), acting in a supportive role, has committed to a humane approach. Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol stated that the removal of structures would be conducted with full respect for human dignity, with special attention to vulnerable groups such as senior citizens, the sick, pregnant women, children, and persons with disabilities. She emphasized that the metropolis aims to ensure the process remains dispute-free, safe, and fair, while adhering to legal and judicial standards.
Conclusion
The eviction drive, which is expected to continue in the coming days, has proceeded without incident but remains a subject of debate. The government has pledged to follow up with identification and land distribution, while human rights organizations continue to monitor the process.