People evicted from informal settlements of Kathmandu Valley have submitted a memorandum to the government, demanding resettlement and land ownership rights.

Those displaced from Thapathali, Gairigaun, Shantinagar, Jadibuti and surrounding areas and currently kept at the Radha Soami Satsang Beas, in Kirtipur jointly submitted the memorandum addressed to the prime minister, home minister, and minister for land management.

They alleged that the state forcibly evicted them without providing proper alternatives or compensation. They said their settlements, where some families had lived for three to four generations, were demolished, and they were moved to the holding centre, disrupting their livelihoods, employment, livestock rearing, and children’s education.

They said the situation at the centre has led to a severe shortage of basic health services, medicine, and nutritious food. They claimed one resident, Bheshraj Pariyar, died due to a lack of timely treatment, while several sick children are currently undergoing intensive care in the hospital.

The memorandum also highlighted serious safety and privacy concerns at the holding centre, particularly for women and children.

Expressing anger at the state’s handling of the situation, the victims stated in the memorandum: “Are we animals? Why are we being treated as if we can be sold and fed like livestock? Do we, the poor, landless and informal settlers, not have human rights? If we do, why is the state treating us in such inhumane ways?”

They objected to state agencies referring to them as “encroachers” and “mafias,” calling the terms derogatory. They demanded that the government ensure permanent land rights in accordance with the law.

They also called for an immediate halt to all eviction drives carried out without alternative arrangements, and urgent improvements in food, healthcare, sanitation, and security at the holding centre.

The victims further demanded fair assessment of losses to housing, employment, and dignity, along with adequate relief and long-term resettlement programmes.

They also urged an independent investigation into officials responsible for demolitions carried out without alternatives and for allegedly violating constitutional rights by leaving citizens in inhumane conditions for months.

Warning of further action, they said that if no concrete decision on land ownership and resettlement is made within a week, they would be compelled to return to their original settlements and reoccupy them peacefully.