KATHMANDU: Residents of informal settlements protested in Butwal today, accusing the government of creating panic by using bulldozers against long-established settlements without land ownership certificates.

The protest was organized on Sunday by the Nepal Landless Squatters and Informal Settlers Struggle Committee, Rupandehi.

The demonstration began from Rajmarga Chauraha in Butwal and turned into a mass assembly at Traffic Chowk.

Committee coordinator Khagendra Paudel said the protest was against the government’s actions of evicting poor squatters and informal settlers by demolishing their houses without providing alternatives.

The committee has also announced a conference in Butwal on Monday.