A total of 930 families have registered for resettlement support after being displaced from settlements in Thapathali, Gairigaun and Kageshwari Manohara in Kathmandu. The families comprise 3,957 individuals.

Chief District Officer Ishwar Raj Paudel said the names of those seeking government assistance due to a lack of land have been collected at Dasharath Stadium. Displaced people have been temporarily housed in hotels, lodges and at the Radha Soami Satsang Beas facility in Kirtipur.

“Within 15 days, a strict screening will verify whether they own land or property,” Paudel said. “Only those found genuinely landless, including all family members, will be considered for resettlement.”

The government launched the eviction drive early Saturday with a heavy security presence, clearing settlements in Thapathali and later in Gairigaun, Tinkune. Unlike previous operations, no clashes were reported, although residents said they were intimidated by the large deployment.

Police said the operation remained peaceful with public cooperation. According to a 2022 report by the High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilisation, 3,496 households live in settlements along riverbanks across the Valley. Of them, 2,245 households are in Kathmandu Metropolitan City, 90 in Kageshwari Manohara Municipality, 156 in Budhanilkantha Municipality, 17 in Lalitpur Metropolitan City, and 773 in Bhaktapur Municipality

Project chief Machakaji Maharjan said verified families may be relocated to apartments in Nagarjun Municipality, which currently have capacity for 45 individuals. Additional space from nearby ashram facilities could also be used.

Authorities said riverside settlements remain vulnerable to floods, particularly during the monsoon, prompting repeated but previously unsuccessful eviction efforts.

Prime Minister Balendra Shah had earlier attempted to remove such settlements during his tenure as Kathmandu mayor but lacked federal backing. Paudel said eviction and resettlement processes will continue simultaneously.

The government initiated the latest move following a directive from the prime minister to security agencies. Rights groups and civil society have urged authorities not to use force without ensuring alternative housing.

A writ petition challenging the eviction has been filed at the Supreme Court, which has summoned the government for a hearing on Monday.