Occupy Tudikhel is an apolitical campaign pushed forward by the concerned general public of Kathmandu valley in a bid to reclaim encroached public land. Kathmandu locals have long been calling on the government to clear out the illegal encroachment of public land in Khula Manch.
Following government’s inaction to resolve the issue, environmentalists, experts, members of the civil society and locals of Kathmandu decided to take the matter in their own hands.
The open space located in the heart of the city is used by the public not just for leisure. It also served as a refuge ground for hundreds of people in the immediate aftermath of the devastating 2015 earthquake. However, of late a large chunk of Khula Manch area has been covered by tarpaulin on all sides with a ‘no trespassing’ sign hung at the eastern gate.
The space, which is supposed to be open for the general public at all times, is now mostly occupied by illegally built structures and parked buses. Moreover, the Nepal Army has also kept a portion of Tudikhel for themselves by cordoning the area off with barbed wires to keep the public away.
Occupy Tudikhel campaign aims to draw the government’s attention towards this pressing matter. The organizers of this event locked November 9 for the event coinciding it with International Freedom Day. Activists, environmentalists, locals, journalists, artists and celebrities along with the locals are expected to attend the campaign which has been widely shared on various social media platforms.
While the ruling party NCP has chosen to stay mum on the matter, opposition party Nepali Congress has expressed its support to the campaign in an attempt to hold the government accountable.
EVENT: Form a human chain around Khula Manch from 8:00-10:00 am.
