Local leaders of major political parties and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have backed the locals and vowed to foil the plan.[break]
The government has decided to shift the squatters from the Bagmati riverbank, who have been rendered homeless since last week. About 1,000 squatters have been living under the open sky since the authorities bulldozed their shacks.
After seeing their plight for himself, Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had requested the squatters Sunday to move to Chobhar.
“We are not compelled to abide by such a decision which did not involve our participation,” said Panchalal Maharjan, Maoist chairman of Kirtipur.
Hundreds of people at Chobhar had become squatters themselves when the government took over their land for the cement factory some 40 years ago.
Two hundred ninety-five homes were evacuated then.
“Resettling the squatters is he government’s business but we will not let it bring them here,” Maharjan said.
He said most of the families that were displaced then are still living in rented rooms. The government had acquired 816 ropanis of land for the cement factory. Rajan KC, a local NC leader, said, the land belongs to those who were displaced from there.
“The government should first resettle the families that became homeless after their land was acquired by Tribhuvan University and he cement factory,” he said.
About 1,000 locals have participated in the protest.
RPP leader Shishir Prasad Dhital said the government has no right to take such a decision without first listening to the locals.
Chief of Kathmandu Town Development Authority Keshav Stapit said the squatters will be relocated only after reaching agreement with the locals.
Himal Cement Factory has been shut for the past 17 years.
About 500 families in Kirtipur became landless following the land acquisition drive launched by the government for building TU and the cement factory.
The law states people displaced after acquisition of their land for building a factory have first right to ownership if the original purpose of acquisition is not served.
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