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📅June 4, 2026
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Landless Settlers Protest Against Attempted Eviction Without Alternative Arrangements

After a notice was issued to remove unmanaged settlements located on government and public land, local residents staged a protest on the Janakpur–Dhalkebar road section on May 8, 2026, claiming that their right to housing had been violated.

Accusing the authorities of attempting to evict them without making alternative arrangements, the affected landless settlers launched a protest by obstructing the Janakpur–Dhalkebar road section from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Due to the road blockade, both long- and short-distance vehicles were stranded midway, while the movement of the general public was also affected.

The affected residents have accused the state of violating their right to live, right to safe housing, and right to live with dignity. A 31-year-old woman from Ward No. 9 said, “First arrange land for us to live on, only then will we leave the land.” She insisted that they could not vacate their homes unless alternative arrangements were made.

Similarly, a 78-year-old man from Ward No. 1 said emotionally that two generations of his family had spent their lives in the same place. “At this age, where are we supposed to go now? I have neither a house nor the money to buy land,” he said.

The municipality had issued a notice on May 4, 2026, directing residents to vacate encroached structures built on public land within seven days, in accordance with a letter issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on April 29, 2026. The notice also warned that structures would be forcefully removed with the assistance of security personnel if they were not cleared within the stipulated time.

Article 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as international treaties to which Nepal is a party, guarantees every citizen the right to adequate housing. Every citizen also has the right to protest in cases of dissatisfaction. Inspector Rajaram Yadav of the Area Police Office, Mahendranagar, said that the protest was later suspended through coordination after it caused major disruption to public movement and transportation.

According to human rights principles, attempting to evict citizens from their homes without adequate notice, guarantees of alternative housing, rehabilitation plans, and humane consultation falls under “forced eviction” and is regarded as a serious violation of human rights. The affected residents have also expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the state is trying to displace them without making alternative arrangements. Local youth activist Anil Mandal said that the government should identify the genuine problems of the landless settlers and move forward with humane, legal, and long-term solutions.

Mayor Sukhdev Yadav responded that the local government is obliged to act in accordance with the directives of the federal government, and that the seven-day notice was issued on the basis of those instructions.

Santosh Kumar Yadav

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