Balen pledges Jhapa squatter relief

KATHMANDU: Senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Balendra Shah (Balen), has expressed his party’s commitment to addressing the issues faced by squatters in Jhapa.

During an election campaign visit to Kamal Rural Municipality on Tuesday morning, Balen conducted a field survey of local squatter settlements and interacted directly with residents.

The visit comes amid growing concerns among Jhapa’s squatters over recent demolitions in Kathmandu.

Residents asked whether similar actions would occur in Jhapa. Balen clarified that the steps taken in the capital were necessary safety measures, not punitive actions.

“In Kathmandu, settlements along riverbanks were at high risk of flooding and submersion during the monsoon. Relocating people was meant to protect lives, not to cause suffering,” Balen said. He emphasized that the situation in Jhapa is distinct. “Here, people have lived in these settlements for 40–50 years. This is a genuine squatter issue, and we aim to ensure justice for those who have been residing here for decades,” he added.

Balen’s advisor, Kumar Byanjankar (Kumar Ben), noted that although 23 land commissions were established since 2048 BS, the squatter problem has largely remained a political tool. “Even after decades, residents still do not possess formal land titles, which reflects the state’s failure,” he said.