Landowners chase landless squatters in Butwal

One day after they destroyed the huts of the landless squatters, the landowners in Butwal chased the squatters away, who were agitating after their huts were destroyed.

The squatters raided some local households and beat up some locals Wednesday night in retaliation to the destruction of their huts at Mainabagar of Butwal Municipality-4 Wednesday morning.

The squatters had taken to the streets following the incident. The agitating squatters had blocked the Mahendra Highway following a scuffle with the landowners. According to police, the highway is clear now after the locals chased the squatters.

The locals on Thursday morning chased the squatters away who were blocking the highway and were demonstrating against the locals.

Security has been beefed up in the Mainabagar area to avoid any untoward incident and clash between the two groups.

According to the squatters, the landowners destroyed the huts when almost all males in the settlement were away at work.

At least six persons were injured while property worth over Rs 15 million was gutted during the incident.

All the belongings of the squatters were also destroyed in the incident.

The squatters have been staying at the area since the last six months. nepalnews.com pb Oct 19 06