Activists of the Save Nepa Valley movement, condemn the police brutality┬а witnessed in Fibwa Khya (Maitighar Mandala).
On Nepal Era 1138 Chaula 12 (March 28) at 10:00 am, Road Expansion VictimsтАЩ Struggle Committee, Nepa Youth Organization, Newa Sangh, #SaveNepaValley, Newa Political Movement, Fast Track Victims, and Nepal Sanskritik Punarjagaran Abhiyan organized a peaceful demonstration at Fibwa-Khya, (the native name of Maitighar Mandala), to oppose the unlawful road expansion and construction in Nepa Valley.
Multiple construction projects are set to decimate the cultural heritage of the valley, as well as displace the valleyтАЩs indigenous population. These include the construction of the Outer Ring Road, Madhesh-Nepa Valley Fast Track, Proposed Satellite cities, Bagmati Corridor, Road Expansion and high tension power lines. The projects violate ILO 169 as well as UNDRIP of which Nepal is a signatory. The projects also go against Article 25 and Article 37 of the constitution. These construction projects are unilateral decisions taken by the government, and supported and sponsored by international organizations such as ADB and JICA. These projects have been undertaken without the consent of indigenous populations on whose land they are being built. Many families are set to be displaced, facing uncertain economic future as a result of loss of their homes and land, and their way of life. The government has tried to force the hand of our people at a time of economic vulnerability caused by the earthquake of 2015.
Instead of focusing on decentralization and putting effort into infrastructure building elsewhere in Nepal, and providing facilities to millions who have been deprived of roads, electricity, clean drinking water, health and education for decades, the government is plowing through Newa lands, and in the case of the Fast Track, by using the army. Where Nepal Valley once used to be food sufficient, these projects are further decimating our farmlands and compounding food insecurity.
Many elderly citizens, direct victims of these projects, were among the protesters. More than tens of protesters have been injured because of this assault, and thirteen protestors were taken into detention. Even women were surrounded by male police and senior citizens had been violated.
