RSP Cracks Emerge as Nepal's Squatter Evictions Spark Human Rights Crisis

A growing human rights crisis has erupted in Kathmandu as Prime Minister Balen Shah's relentless campaign to remove informal settlements triggers widespread debate and exposes deep fractures within Nepal's ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The eviction drive, which has displaced thousands of landless squatters including elderly residents and children, has drawn sharp criticism from RSP leaders who claim they were never formally informed about the government's move to clear squatter settlements in the capital and beyond.

RSP Whip Dhital Questions Government's Parental Responsibility

RSP Whip Krantishikha Dhital has publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the state's handling of landless squatters, questioning the government's lack of sensitivity and parental responsibility during recent eviction efforts. Through social media, Dhital criticized authorities for displacing residents without providing proper alternative management or resettlement plans, highlighting the urgent need for the state to distinguish between genuine squatters and encroachers before any action is initiated.

The government has defended its actions by citing its 100-point policy agenda, which includes completing data collection on landless and informal settlers within 60 days and resolving their issues within 1,000 days. However, Prime Minister Shah issued a public statement defending the campaign, emphasizing that removing settlements along riverbanks is necessary due to recurring flood risks and disaster threats.

Over 1.2 Million Nepalis Face Landlessness Nationwide

The squatter eviction crisis is not limited to Kathmandu but represents a nationwide phenomenon, with at least 1.2 million Nepalis owning no land. Feeling intimidated by the deployment of police and army forces, most remaining squatters living in riverside settlements of Kathmandu are now leaving voluntarily, while thousands have been rendered permanently homeless.

Some temporary shelters have been constructed to house landless people who registered with authorities, while others have been placed in hotels, yet these measures fall far short of the permanent housing and ownership rights promised in the RSP's election manifesto. Point 69 of the party's policy commitments explicitly promises affordable and adequate housing schemes for homeless, marginalized, poor, and disaster-affected communities.

Legal Concerns and Political Rifts Mount

The eviction drive has raised serious due process concerns, as the law requires the state to determine the real number of landless people and make provisions for alternative accommodation before initiating any action. Opposition lawmakers have drawn the government's attention to these issues, with Rastriya Prajatantra Party member Khusbu Oli arguing that the government failed to be sensitive in handling landless squatters' problems.

Nishkal Rai from the Nepali Congress expressed dissent against the government's decision to evict landless residents without providing alternative arrangements, while CPN-UML's Padma Kumari Aryal called for respect of parliamentary dignity and the rule of law. Yuvraj Dulal from the Nepal Communist Party remarked that removing landless settlements with only 24 hours' notice disregards human dignity.

The Supreme Court of Nepal has now asked the government to clarify its actions regarding the removal of squatters and unmanaged settlements, signaling growing judicial scrutiny of the campaign. Displaced Nepali squatters have organized protests demanding protection of their land rights and housing, accusing the government of forcibly displacing them without proper resettlement plans.

PM Shah Pledges Land Distribution for Eligible Families

Amid mounting criticism, Prime Minister Shah has pledged to distinguish between encroachers and genuine squatters, stating that the government will identify real squatters and ensure land distribution through due process as soon as possible. He emphasized that the campaign aims to provide land to eligible landless families across the country while protecting communities from flood and disaster risks.

Despite these promises, second-tier RSP leaders report they were not informed through any formal party forum about the government's move, raising concerns about internal party coordination and transparency. The ruling RSP appears increasingly unaware of the government's preparations to clear squatter settlements, further complicating the political landscape.

The eviction crisis continues to intensify pressure on Nepal's government, with hundreds of landless squatters protesting in Kathmandu against forced evictions and demolitions. As the situation unfolds, the need for a balanced approach that addresses both urban development goals and human rights protections remains critical for Nepal's stability.