High-risk settlement residents supporting govt relocation drive

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, May 2: People living at high-risk settlements along the Bagmati River and its tributaries in Kathmandu have begun supporting government efforts to relocate them in search of a safer and more organised future.

Residents living in the Balkhu and Bansighat areas of Kathmandu, who said they do not own houses or land and have very low incomes, are currently busy registering their details at Dasharath Stadium.

At least 72 people have so far voluntarily visited the stadium and registered their details, while hundreds more are still waiting in line, according to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

A joint team from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction, the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, the authorised Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee and the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police is collecting details in a coordinated and supportive role at the stadium.

Alongside the data collection, health check-ups and necessary psychosocial counselling are being provided to those who have arrived, which has helped reduce fear and build confidence among them.

People who have been living in unsafe and difficult conditions for a long time are being treated with dignity, given refreshments and prepared for transfer in an organised manner to holding centres, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

After registration, arrangements have been made for safe holding centres where they will be temporarily accommodated at several locations, including the TEWA office in Dhapakhel, Lalitpur; the Electricity Training Centre in Kharipati, Bhaktapur; the Agricultural Development Bank Training Centre in Bode; the Nagarkot Drinking Water Training Centre; and the Red Cross building in Banepa, Kavre.

Health camp for displaced citizens 

Meanwhile, the government has also launched a special multi-dimensional health camp at Dasharath Stadium for citizens displaced from high-risk settlements along the Bagmati River.

The camp provides paediatric, gynaecology, dental treatment and psychosocial counselling services. Specialist teams from Shukraraj Tropical Hospital (in a leading role), Kanti Children’s Hospital, Paropakar Maternity and Women’s Hospital, and Patan Mental Hospital are providing services.

Medicines and counselling are being provided on site, while patients with serious conditions are referred to government hospitals. So far, 68 people have received services. Considering the psychosocial stress and possible infections linked to displacement, the team from Patan Mental Hospital is offering counselling support.

At the same time, a separate health camp is also being operated in the Kirtipur area under the leadership of Bir Hospital, where eye and dental treatments have received strong response. 

Adequate staff and medicines have been arranged in coordination with the Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Department of Health Services, the Prime Minister’s Secretariat informed.

Squatter found dead in Bagmati River amid demolition drive

Meanwhile, a man has been found dead in the Bagmati River at a time when the government is carrying out a demolition campaign in a squatter settlement area.

The deceased has been identified as Indra Bahadur Rai, 56, of Khotang district.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Pawan Bhattarai for the Kathmandu District Police Range, Bhadrakali, locals informed authorities after spotting a body near the waste collection centre in Kathmandu-14. 

He said that the deceased’s family had been living in a squatter settlement in Teku area. 

The government deployed bulldozers in the area on Friday morning. Earlier on Wednesday evening, authorities had issued a notice, instructing residents to vacate the settlement.

“According to locals, Rai had not returned home for a few days. Today, his body was found along with a bundle of clothes,” SP Bhattarai said. “We are conducting further investigations into the matter.”

In a separate incident earlier, a 17-year-old boy from the Thapathali squatter settlement committed suicide, though police have yet to confirm it.