Chairman of ruling UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Monday assured that the government will not remove squatter settlements from the banks of Bagmati river without finding a proper solution to the problem.

Receiving a 12-point  memorandum submitted by a delegation of landless squatters at his residence in Lazimpat Monday, Dahal said he has urged authorities to find an alternative place for the landless squatters to live before removing them from the settlement along the river banks.

The former prime minister further said authorities are trying to find an amicable solution to the landless squatters problem.

In the memorandum the squatters have demanded that the government give them an alternative place to live before removing them from their settlements.

They have warned to continue with their strikes and other protest programs if the government continues to remove squatter settlements as part of the multi-million dollar Bagmati area conservation project.

There are an estimated 12,000 landless squatters in Kathmandu valley, living mostly along the riverbanks. nepalnews.com