Kathmandu: The campaign to remove encroached settlements across the capital has been stepped up by Kathmandu Metropolitan City, with major eviction operations carried out on Saturday in multiple locations.

Settlements in Thapathali (Ward-11), the Bagmati riverbank areas, Gairigaun–Sinamangal (Ward-9), and Shantinagar (Ward-31) were cleared. According to Metropolitan Police Chief Bishnu Prasad Joshi, both temporary and permanent structures built on government land were demolished using heavy equipment.

The operation in Thapathali was completed relatively quickly due to fewer permanent structures, while the demolition in Gairigaun–Sinamangal continued late into the night because of a higher number of concrete houses.

A joint team from Nepal Police, Armed Police Force Nepal, and the metropolitan police assisted in relocating residents and their belongings safely before demolition began.

However, locals have reported difficulties in movement as debris from demolished structures remains scattered. Authorities have said that cleanup operations will proceed gradually.

According to the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority, a total of 871 squatter families were living in these encroached areas, including 143 in Thapathali, 162 in Gairigaun, 476 in Shantinagar, 77 in Gothatar, and 13 in Manohara Tole.

The government has prioritized this campaign as part of broader goals such as public land conservation, river corridor management, urban beautification, and environmental protection. However, the issue of rehabilitation for displaced families has drawn increasing attention, with calls for sustainable and humane resettlement solutions.

While the eviction process in Thapathali, Gairigaun, and Sinamangal remained largely peaceful, tensions arose in the Manohara riverbank area in Bhaktapur. Residents resisted the demolition, resulting in clashes where 22 security personnel were injured.

Among the injured were officers from Nepal Police, including Deputy Superintendent Nawaraj Dhungana, and personnel from the Armed Police Force. According to officials, stones, bricks, and bottles were thrown at security forces during the confrontation.