Displaced Hetauda residents stage cultural protest in Kathmandu (photos)
Residents accused the government of encroaching on centuries-old settlements and cultural sites under the guise of road widening.
KATHMANDU: Kathmandu’s central Maitighar Mandala witnessed an unusual protest on Tuesday as displaced residents from Hetauda voiced their anger over forced demolitions carried out in the name of road expansion.
Holding placards reading “Stop Dozer Terror” and carrying traditional dhime drums, the protesters marched to the main gate of Singha Durbar to demand justice.
The demonstrators said their protest was not only about protecting physical structures but also about preserving the indigenous Newar culture and heritage threatened by development projects.
Residents accused the government of encroaching on centuries-old settlements and cultural sites under the guise of road widening.
Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the dhime, they warned authorities, “Development should serve the people, not displacement. Destroying our historical identity and culture in the name of roads is unacceptable.”
Small business owners, whose livelihoods were affected by the demolitions in Hetauda’s main market, also joined the protest, showing solidarity with the displaced residents.
Photos:
-Saroj Basnet
