Evicted squatters to be relocated to Chauvar, temporarily           (२०६९ ज्येष्ठ १, आइतवार)

KATHMANDU - Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has urged the squatters and landless people who were evicted from Bagmati river banks at Thapathali some days ago to settle in the land plot of Himal Cement Factory in Chovar until another arrangement.

The Prime Minister who reached the site on the bank of Bagmati River at Thapathali today that was bulldozed by the government backed by security forces some days ago urged the squatters to go and live in Chovar as the government's policy was to evict the squatters' settlement with alternative arrangement.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister said that present pathetic situation was created due to non-cooperation of squatters' representatives to collect the data in government's effort to indentify the real squatters.

"Government was not cooperated with while preparing to evict the squatters' settlement by offering Rs 15,000 as house rent for three months. You (squatters) can go to the land of Himal Cement within a couple of days. Government will provide Rs 15,000 per family as expenses for shifting your goods."

On the occasion, the Prime Minister directed Commissioner of Kathmandu Town Development Authority Keshav Sthapit to make temporary arrangement for the squatters in the land of the Himal Cement Factory. Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai was flanked by Sthapit during the visit of the site.

Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai pledged to provide realty to the squatters in reasonable prices once their alternative management was done.

Submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister, representative of United National Squatters Front, Nepal, Narayan Parishrami, said it was a matter of surprise to have no hearing for the squatters while their huts were bulldozed by the Prime Minister who belongs to a proletariats' party.

He said the squatters' alterative arrangement should be done immediately and their children should be provided with appropriate education and others.

Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai visited the squatters' makeshift residences for half an hour and listened to their complaints and problems. RSS