Illegal structures on government, public land still stand

By Bashudev Sharma,Jajarkot, Dec. 21: The issue of illegal structures built on government and public land remains unresolved despite decisions made by an all-party meeting. 

The meetings held on September 21, 2023, and February 28, 2024, decided to remove the illegally built structures, but their construction is still going on unabated. 

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority had sent letters on August 9, 2023, and the Home Ministry on August 23, 2023, urging the removal of such structures, yet the decision to demolish them has not been enforced.

According to a Supreme Court order on July 21, 1997, encroachments on forest areas, and government land in Bheri Municipality-3 and -4 should have been vacated. 

People are continuing to build houses on such land ignoring the decision. Despite the local administration's efforts to address the issue and protect public property, the encroachment process has not stopped. 

Ten concrete and temporary houses have been built on the land of Pipal Chautari in Bheri Municipality-3, while seven families are residing on land belonging to the Jajarkot Court. 

Additionally, 14 individuals have constructed homes along the roadside of the Khirkhire Community Forest Road in Bheri Municipality-4.

Heramba Bahadur Shah of Bheri Municipality-3 said that the local administration had made final preparations to remove the structures erected by encroaching public land. However, due to the negligence on the part of concerned bodies and stakeholders, the encroachment continues.

Chief District Officer Mekh Bahadur Magrati, said that some individuals who had built houses on the encroached land had filed a case with the High Court. He indicated that the removal process would proceed once the court makes its decision.