Squatters in the KV, Government entities should support KMC moves

Almost all countries in the world have homeless, landless and jobless people. Developed countries manage them well utilising public resources. Middle economy countries attempt to manage them with rules and regulations. But underdeveloped countries can hardly handle them by political, administrative and social tools. Degree of this problem is much higher in South East Asian countries and South American countries. Sometime conflicts among squatters take place a serious level. The administration and squatters conflicts take serious level. The recent clash between Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) security and ‘squatters’ of Bagmati River side in Thapathaliwas a most serious as bloodshed might take place. The squatters protested with domestic arms, sticks to drive back the security force of KMC with excavators who were assigned to demolish illegally built residences. Earlier to that High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization, a government entity approached KMC to help clear Bagmati River side to carry on Bagmati River beautification project. Certain political leaders, parties and so called intellectuals close to political parties lamented the KMC move. They argued for not to move squatters without alternatives. Similarly the Commission for Land Management also had asked concerned authorities to stop action for the time being. Moreover, squatters’ problem is not a new, but unsolved despite of multiple actions. A building was also constructed to move the real homeless in Kathmandu to relocate more than a decade ago. But the squatters preferred to stay ignoring governmental offers. They are demanding for allotment of land there at Bagmati River side or wherever they are occupying. Locals and studies on squatters in the Kathmandu Valley say that the people who are forcefully occupying land are not ‘real landless or homeless’. Many of them own bungalows and buildings in better locations in the valley. Similarly, they own cars, golden ornaments, expensive mobile phones and luxurious home appliances. They are even capable to afford off springs for study abroad. Thus, a thorough investigation should be carried out on their real status so as the government mechanism provide land or other opportunities at suitable places, not necessarily in the Kathmandu Valley. There are a number of local people in the Kathmandu Valley who lost land or home or both due to evacuated by development plans of the state. These people are not given space in political agenda of parties. Therefore, the government mechanism must be attentive to real squatters prioritising local sufferers. The KMC move to restore cultural heritage and help real needies, as such should be supported by all municipalities of the KV, elected representatives and all concerned government entities for formulating exemplary solution for a long time woes of the Kathmandu Valley.