A video circulating on social media showing a woman being grabbed by the neck, dragged and pushed during a demolition drive in Simariya, ward 10 of Duhabi Municipality, Sunsari, has triggered allegations of mistreatment by municipal and police personnel.

The incident took place on April 15 during the removal of structures built on what was alleged to be public land. Following the circulation of the video, residents and the affected family accused security personnel of using excessive force, while the municipality and police have rejected the claims.

Ram Kumari Chaudhary, 45, said she had been living in a temporary shelter at the site for around 17 years. She alleged that municipal police and Nepal Police personnel physically held her, dragged her and used force during the eviction.

“My injuries from the scuffle have not healed yet,” she said, adding that she was pulled around during the operation.

Her daughter, Binam Chaudhary, also alleged mistreatment, claiming both she and her mother were assaulted. “We were both dragged by municipal and female police, and my clothes were torn,” she said.

Resident Abhijit Ram said the incident reflected unfair treatment of low-income families. He said the eviction was carried out without humane consideration.

According to the family, Ram Kumari had built a shelter on the unregistered low-lying land around 17 years ago after spending about Rs500,000 to fill a pit. She also said she has been supporting her family through a small poultry farm after her husband became incapacitated following an accident.

She further claimed that the demolition was linked to nearby land owned by Mayor Bed Bahadur Gachhadar, alleging that construction of an access road prompted the removal of her shelter.

Mayor Gachhadar, however, dismissed the allegation as misleading. He said no mistreatment took place and that the structure was built on public land.

“They had encroached on public land. When municipal police attempted to demolish the structure, she tried to stand in front of the bulldozer and climb onto it, so only minimal force was used,” he said.

Ward Chair Tularam Majhi of Duhabi Municipality-10 also said the eviction was carried out to clear encroached public land that had obstructed movement.

The District Police Office, Sunsari, said the incident had been “misrepresented”. The office said some individuals became agitated during the operation and attempted to move towards the bulldozer, prompting police intervention.

“The female police tried to prevent them from moving forward to avoid possible accidents. Claims of inhumane treatment, such as tying someone to a tree, are not true,” police said.

Locals have also questioned the process, saying the municipality issued a notice allowing two days for the removal of structures but carried out the demolition the next day.