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Nepal Razes 1,272 Riverbank Structures in Kathmandu Clearance Drive

Rights groups say the fast-track clearances risk unlawful evictions.

Overview

  • Police said 1,272 structures were torn down in Thapathali, Gairigaun, Sinamangal and Mahara over Saturday and Sunday, with 380 more marked for removal early this week.
  • The drive, ordered by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, used bulldozers and large deployments from Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police.
  • Hundreds of families lost homes as the clearances began Saturday, and some were moved to holding centers at Dasharath Stadium and Kirtipur with food, water and health checks.
  • Officials framed the operation as river restoration and flood-risk reduction, and said genuine landless residents would receive alternative land and rehabilitation.
  • Amnesty International called the evictions forced and warned they signal erosion of lawful governance and risk a preventable human rights crisis.