Locals Protest Eviction Notices Around Laki Pokhari in Janakpur

Janakpurdham. Locals around Laki Pokhari in Rajoul, Ward No. 14 of Janakpur, have become agitated after receiving notices to remove structures built on and around ponds under Rajguti. They are protesting the eviction notices, stating they bought the land, built houses, paid taxes, and have all government documents including electricity and water bills. On Tuesday, they blocked the highway for over an hour at Pindari Chowk, chanting slogans against the government. Police used minimal force to disperse the protesters after the highway blockade. The high-level task force for the conservation and management of Guthi land, in its 2062 report implementation committee, had issued a public notice last Friday for the removal of structures built on and around 15 ponds within the sub-metropolitan city within 7 days, warning of legal action if not vacated. Locals, fearing demolition of their houses built on pond banks, have taken to the streets. Rajodevi Mandal, a participant in the protest, said she has been living in her house built on purchased land for 26 years and is now in distress due to the government's demolition notice. She questioned how the government could demolish their houses when they have paid all taxes and were promised land ownership documents by the new government. Dharmaraj Yadav, another local, stated that the land they occupy is not Guthi land and they should receive ownership documents according to the 2046 survey, calling the demolition notice flawed. He highlighted that they have consistently paid taxes since 2046 and received utilities from the government, questioning why the government didn't identify it as Guthi land then. Pema Devi, a housewife, clarified that they bought the land and are not encroaching, and while they support the beautification of the pond, they cannot accept the removal of their settlements. Local Ward Member Ramesh Kumar Sah accused the state of intimidating locals in the name of removing encroachments, presenting documents that he claims prove the land was obtained from the government, not Guthi Sansthan, and questioning the validity of the notice. Ward member Sah mentioned that 42 informal and formal houses are built on the banks of Laki Pokhari, for which the notice was issued, lamenting that Guthi Sansthan has not bothered to check the 2046 records. The locals have demanded a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts, stating they will vacate the area if the investigation proves the land is Guthi's. The committee had issued public notices on Bhadra 19 for the removal of encroachments on various ponds including Dewan Pokhari (Chandra Koop), Madhyama Sar, Rukmini Sar, Bidal Sar (Birahi), Genhi Pokhari, Thadi Pokhari, Lavaki Pokhari (Rajoul), Kapalmochini Sar, Purandar Sar, Lavaki Pokhari, Laxman Sar (Balram Sar), Papmochini Sar, Agni Kund, Sita Kund, Bihar Kund, and Dewan Pokhari (Chandra Koop) within Janakpur Sub-Metropolitan City.