Bulldozers roll in Thapathali as squatter families moved to Stadium

Kathmandu: Security forces have begun moving squatters living along the Bagmati riverbank in Thapathali to a stadium on Saturday morning.

There is a heavy presence of Metropolitan Police, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force in the area. After the government announced plans to remove the settlement, some families had already left from Thursday night.According to Kathmandu Metropolitan City spokesperson Navin Manandhar, those who have nowhere else to go will be taken to the stadium. “We will take them to the stadium and conduct screening there,” he said.

After the screening process, they will be shifted to holding centers, although the locations of these centers have not been disclosed.Kathmandu Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel said that no force will be used during the relocation. “We will not beat, chase, or mistreat anyone. If people ask, we will help transport them along with their belongings,” he said.

He added that the displaced families may stay in the stadium until the evening. Teams from the Ministry of Urban Development are stationed there to collect details such as family size, elderly members, and children before sending them to designated holding centers.Meanwhile, security personnel are also helping residents move their belongings. Authorities have stated that after Thapathali, similar actions will be taken in Sinamangal and Manohara areas.

Bulldozers have already started demolishing structures in Thapathali, targeting illegal settlements built on public and government land along the Bagmati river. Two bulldozers were initially deployed, with police assisting in clearing people from the area.