Around 15 displaced squatter families staying at a holding centre at the Nepal Red Cross Society facility in Banepa are being relocated to another temporary shelter in Ichangu Narayan. The relocation is part of the government's plan to close the Banepa facility.

Khagendra Bista, a sociologist at the High Powered Committee for Integrated Development of Bagmati Civilisation, said the families would be taken to the Ichangu Narayan holding centre on Wednesday.

“We are currently at the holding centre in Banepa. Preparations are underway to put them on vehicles and take them to Ichangu Narayan. We will reach there by this afternoon,” Bista said.

According to Bista, the government had begun preparing to vacate the Banepa holding centre from July 6. As part of that process, the supply of meals to the displaced families had been stopped.

“There is a regular food arrangement at Ichangu Narayan. They will find it more convenient there,” he said.

Reema Pokharel, who is currently staying at the Banepa centre, said she was ready to move to Ichangu Narayan.

“I am leaving. I will stay there for a few days and look for a room. I will remain there until I find a place and make other arrangements,” she said.

However, Pokharel said some displaced families were reluctant to leave the Banepa shelter.

“I do not know why they do not want to go, but they have said they will continue staying here,” she said.

Bista said one or two families had refused to leave the holding centre.

“They have said they will leave only after finding rooms from here. Discussions are still underway with them,” he said.

Around 15 families are currently staying at the Banepa holding centre. They had faced additional hardship after authorities stopped providing food from July 6, as part of preparations to shut down the facility.