In Bardibas Municipality–3, Kalapani area, on May 25, forest officials went to issue a notice for the removal of settlements. The officials included forest officer Shweta Jha, 29, ranger Suman Shrestha, 28, armed forest guard Jamadar Awtar Lama, 50, Prem Bhandari, 42, and Shankar Karki, 40. They were then taken under control by local residents.
On May 26, locals staged a protest and set fire to vehicle number Ba 2 Cha 2749, a Bolero belonging to the Division Forest Office, Mahottari. Due to the protest, the East–West Highway and BP Highway remained blocked throughout the day.
Ward Chairperson Birat Bista stated that the protest would not stop until assurance is given regarding settlement security. He said the agitation would continue unless the government and administration clearly commit not to evict the settlement.
Local youth leader Ganesh Basnet said that residents had opposed the planned eviction from the Kalapani forest area, where they have been living for 50 years. He added that the attempt to remove settlements without alternative arrangements was unjust.
Locals have also urged the government to resolve the issue through dialogue, stating that the housing and livelihood rights of residents should be ensured, and that dialogue, consensus, and alternative arrangements should be prioritized.
As the situation became tense, a large number of Nepal Police were deployed in the Kalapani area. After a brief confrontation between protesters and security personnel, the situation is now under control, according to DSP Guruprasad Timsina of the Area Police Office, Bardibas.