Harka Sampang accuses government of misusing army against squatters

Kathmandu – Harka Sampang, the chairman of the Labour Culture Party, has accused the government of misusing the army to spread terror in squatter settlements.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, he objected to the army being used to remove squatter settlements instead of being deployed for border security.

He remarked that the government, which forces poor squatters to become homeless and even commit suicide, has failed. He questioned whether the Nepali army was sent to secure Lipulekh or to intimidate squatter settlements.

He accused the government of failing to conduct effective diplomatic talks regarding the bilateral trade between China and India through the Lipulekh route.

He said, “Why is the government silent while India has opened a trade route in Lipulekh? Why couldn’t it engage in diplomatic talks? Why is it hiding behind unsigned diplomatic notes? Has the Nepali army been sent to secure Lipulekh or to intimidate squatter settlements? What is the reason for spreading terror in the settlements of poor people by misusing the army? The government should answer.”

He added, “Today, the country has become leaderless. The government, which makes thousands and millions of poor squatters homeless and forces them to commit suicide, is felt to have failed. The government has violated the fundamental rights of citizens. Is there any justification for a government that breaches the constitution?”