As the youths resorted to violence following the demolition, the police fired six tear gas canisters to bring the situation under control. [break]
The atmosphere had become tense after the people argued that the government should not have allowed them to buy the land and build houses worth million rupees in the first place. According to DSP Rajendra Bista, police also arrested two women and two men on the charge of pelting stones at the police.
The demolition drive was carried out by a joint team of police, municipality and the forest office.
Since the last few months some businessmen had been actively engaged in selling the land on the riverbank. The forest users community and the villagers had raised concerns and demanded that the businessmen be stopped from capturing the forest and river areas.
Aware that the encroachment of the riverbank was affecting the embankment which in course would cause heavy loss in the rainy season, the villagers had sent applications to the area police office, forest office and the municipality seeking intervention. Following the complaints, an all-party meeting had decided to free the enroached land.
“It was important to take serious step against the buying and selling of the land as the narrowing down of the river and forest area could invite vital natural calamity during the rainy season,” said Rajendra Paudel, a Municipality officer.
The demolition team on Monday had used a dozer to demolish the constructions at Panchkanya -5, and Devigaun Kanchanjangha Basti, including other areas. The situation became emotionally charged when few women could not control their tears to see their houses being torn down. Some of them were blaming the administration for taking the step ´without prior notice.´
“I had bought 2 kattha of land for Rs 200,000. Now I have become homeless,” said Tina Rai. “It is an extreme step of the government to demolish our houses without proior notice,” added Sabina Lawati.
The locals have demanded compensations. On the other hand, police have also seized a dozer that was being illegally used for the construction work.
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