Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’, during his tenure as the Mayor of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), wanted to vacate the squatter settlement within the metropolitan.
At that time, he attempted to remove the Thapathali’s squatter settlements with the support of the police force, time and again. However, due to widespread obstruction from the locals, his desire to vacate the settlements remained unfulfilled.
Now, Shah is the PM. And he is preparing to accomplish the work, which he was unable to complete at that time. Unexpectedly, Balen also got an opportunity to lead the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Sudhan Gurung was compelled to resign following the demand for his investigation, after the increasing pressure from the media and social media, as his name was connected to a money laundering case. PM Shah has not appointed a new Minister for the Home Ministry. Earlier, PM Shah kept the Ministry of Defense to himself, forming the cabinet.
Keeping the leadership of the Ministry of Home Affairs to himself, PM Shah decided to mobilise bulldozers in squatter settlements in the Kathmandu Valley. Following the decision, bulldozers have been mobilising in the squatter settlements since Saturday.
In the Kathmandu Valley, demolition drives were carried out in the settlements of Thapathali and Gairidhara without obstruction. However, in Manohara, there was strong resistance. Some locals and police personnel were injured.
On Sunday, a large number of police were deployed as bulldozers were used to dismantle the structures. Dozers have been driven in Nuwakot. It is said preparations are underway to drive bulldozers in Pokhara as well.
