KATHMANDU,  Nov 29: The slum-dwellers and landless squatters organized a protest outside Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) office, Sundhara, Kathmandu, on Tuesday morning following the metropolis’s attempt to demolish their huts in the squatters’ settlement in Thapathali on Monday.

The squatters chanted slogans against Mayor of Kathmandu, Balendra Shah, and demanded the government ensure their right to live. The squatters present at the protest site demanded KMC provide them the land certificates if it can or else let them live there without causing any trouble.

On Monday, a team of the metropolis went to the squatters settlement in Thapathali to remove the slum-dwellers from the area. However, the situation turned tense after the squatters pelted stones at the team of metropolis stating that they started removing the structures without making an alternative arrangement. During the attack, a total of 18 people, including Metropolitan Police Chief Raju Pandey, were injured, according to the metropolis.

Earlier, the High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization (HPCIDBC) had issued a notice on November 11 stating that it had given 10 days time to remove the houses and other structures that are built illegally on the river banks. The HPCIDBC said that if the river banks are not cleared within the given deadline, such structures will be demolished with the help of KMC and other relevant agencies. 

 
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