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Kathmandu Wednesday October 25, 2000 Kartik 09, 2057.
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20 hurt in locals
squatters clash Post Report
DHANGADHI, Oct 24 - At least 20 persons were
injured on Tuesday after locals and squatters clashed over the encroachment of a community
forest close to Urma Village Development Committee, police here said.
The injured are undergoing treatment at Seti
Zonal Hospital. A total of 164 illegally built sheds by the landless people in the forest
were demolished following the locals’ demonstration at the District Administration
Office and the District Forest Office a month ago.
The locals were trying to drive the squatters
away before they finally demanded stern action against them from the administration.
"The squatters again started encroaching
the forest despite our humble requests time and again. After all peaceful means went in
vain we asked police to evacuate the settlers," said a local, Ganga Ram Chaudhary.
Chaudhary said around 400 locals, including
women, entered the forest and tried to evacuate the landless people. But the illegal
settlers clashed with the locals for an hour during which around 130 huts had already been
demolished, Ganga Ram said.
The settlers had occupied around 150 bighas of
forest land. Soon after the report of clash, the riot police came and brought the
situation under control.
Assistant Forest Official Dirgha Narayan Koirala
said that all squatters left the forest following the police interference. Locals said
they sought police protection out of fear of the illegal settlers.
Police Inspector Tilak Bahadur Shrestha said
police has been kept alert to stop further skirmish. The forest close to Urma VDC has been
preserved as a community forest since 1995, the locals said.
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