Protests Erupt in Kathmandu Against Balen Shah's Government Over Evictions
Protests Against Evictions in Kathmandu
Kathmandu: The newly established government led by Balen Shah in Nepal is encountering significant backlash due to its decision to evict squatters without providing a resettlement strategy. On Sunday, a large crowd, primarily composed of young individuals, gathered in the streets of Kathmandu to protest against the Shah administration. This demonstration was organized by the Joint National Squatters Front and took place outside a government office.
Protesters voiced their demands for an end to unlawful arrests and called for adequate housing for those displaced by the Shah government. Gagan Kumar Thapa, the leader of the Nepali Congress, criticized the Balen Shah administration for detaining activists and demanded their release. This situation marks the first significant challenge for Shah, who previously supported the GenZ protests that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister KP Oli last September.
In recent days, tensions have escalated between protesters and the Kathmandu police. Demonstrators have drawn attention to the dire living conditions faced by those evicted. Numerous individuals, including activists, students, and journalists, have been arrested by law enforcement. Earlier this month, a 25-year-old protester set himself on fire in Kathmandu after police placed a wheel lock on his motorcycle. Tragically, two individuals have died from self-immolation, while another has suffered injuries.
This situation has sparked outrage among the GenZ community. The protests intensified following flooding that affected a temporary settlement in Kathmandu on July 10, where approximately 150 displaced individuals had been relocated. Security forces evacuated these residents, and the next day, a group of GenZ activists attempted to visit the site to evaluate the conditions but were met with police resistance, resulting in injuries to one activist who required hospitalization.
These demonstrations echo the earlier GenZ protests that successfully led to the removal of the Oli government amid corruption allegations. In April, the Shah-led government also faced public discontent over customs duties on Indian imports and corruption claims against the home minister, which were significant issues raised by protesters at that time.