Aug 04, Kathmandu - Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party Leader Bhishmaraj Angdembe has accused the government of forcibly demolishing settlements with heavy machinery without proper preparation, causing widespread disruption among thousands of citizens.

During a proposal on an urgent public importance in the House of Representatives, he criticized the government's approach to solving the homelessness issue, stating that instead of addressing it, the government has merely staged stunts.

Angdembe said, “The government has not only destroyed shelters with bulldozers but has also shattered people's hopes of survival. It has taken away the support systems of families, leaving some without minimal medical care or shelter in times of illness. The long-standing problem of landless squatters, marginalized groups, and unplanned settlements remains unresolved.”

He emphasized that genuine landless and homeless citizens deserve justice from the state. “It is the constitutional duty of the government to identify and guarantee safe habitation for those truly landless and homeless. Relocating settlements at risk of landslides to safer areas is acceptable, and genuine squatters and marginalized groups must be provided with housing with dignity,” he stated.

He also urged the state to recognize and rehabilitate squatters living along riverbanks such as Bagmati and Manohara, and to protect natural resources and public lands. “The government must disclose details of land holdings exceeding legal limits under the guise of power and bring illegal land holdings into the name of the Nepalese government. This land should then be used to support genuine landless citizens living in sensitive areas. Forests, national parks, and public lands must be preserved,” he added.

Angdembe accused the current government of lacking the political will to resolve the issue of homelessness in the long term. “Why did the government not pass the laws approved by committees in parliament swiftly? They forcibly used bulldozers, evicted residents without preparation, and kept citizens hostage,” he criticized.