POKHARA: Protests have broken out in Pokhara after the metropolitan city issued a 35-day ultimatum to clear encroached public land.

On Monday, residents of a squatter settlement staged a demonstration outside the Pokhara Metropolitan City office in New Road, demanding the withdrawal of the notice.

On April 17, the city had issued a public notice ordering the removal of illegal structures built on government and public land within 35 days.

Following this, squatters from Ward No. 9 formed a struggle committee and launched protests demanding cancellation of the directive.

During the protest, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Stop eviction of landless settlers,” “Let the poor live,” and “You forgot promises, gave us pain.”

The squatters also submitted a memorandum to Kaski Chief District Officer Rudradevi Sharma, urging the authorities to halt eviction actions.

Meanwhile, Pokhara Metropolitan City Mayor Dhanraj Acharya said the municipality is working to address the problems of landless squatters and argued that protests are unnecessary.

In a Facebook post, he said attempts are being made to create unnecessary agitation by using squatter settlements as a “human shield” and urged residents not to fall under the influence of vested interests.

The protest comes amid a nationwide government campaign to clear encroached public and government land.