Galopa said - 'Although the government has declared the demolished structures illegal on the grounds of encroachment on government land, there is an ongoing dispute over how many structures are legal and how many are illegal.'
What you should know
Protesting the government's demolition of 531 structures on the main road of Hetauda market area on a single day on Saturday, the Dynamic Democratic Party (Galopa) has put forward three demands.
Galopa Urban Development Department Head Jagannath Lamichhane has put forward three demands regarding Hetauda city.
Galopa has said in the first demand, 'A committee should be formed to immediately investigate the situation of citizens legally residing/doing business in the market area.' The second demand says, 'A plan for alternative rehabilitation and employment of the affected people should be taken forward in coordination with the local level.' Galopa's third demand says, 'Initiate an all-party dialogue for the effective implementation of the urban policy.'
Stating that the government needs to move forward firmly in infrastructure construction, Galopa has said that no citizen should be made homeless or unemployed in the name of development. Galopa is also of the opinion that a peaceful solution to such problems should be found together with all stakeholders.
The Road Division Office, Hetauda, has claimed that the 531 structures demolished during the 9.5-kilometer road expansion were encroachments on the road as they were within 25-25 yards of the center of the highway, but the affected people have claimed that they are legal. Galopa said, 'Although the government has declared the demolished structures illegal on the basis of encroachment on government land, there is a constant dispute about how many structures are legal and how many are illegal. Although questions about this have repeatedly reached the courts, there does not seem to be a clear judicial decision.'
Galopa also said that the government and subordinate bodies should take practical steps to implement the orders issued by the Supreme Court.
