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The Amnesty International (AI) has today released a new report entitled “‘Nowhere to go’: Forced evictions in Nepal”. 

This report presents the findings of Amnesty International’s research into forced evictions in Nepal, focusing on five evictions that took place between 2020 and 2024. 

The report highlights the 'devastating impact' on already marginalized communities, including Dalits and Indigenous Peoples, which are disproportionately affected by the forced evictions, the Amnesty International said in a press release. 

It also reveals what it called the authorities’ failure to uphold legal safeguards and address gaps in regulations needed to implement provisions in the Constitution and the 2018 Right to Housing Act that are aimed at preventing forced eviction.

“There is an ever-widening gap between the legal protections promised in Nepal’s constitution and the reality for marginalized communities in the country, who continue to live in fear of being evicted with no due process, no regard for their precarious circumstances and no hope of compensation to help rebuild their lives elsewhere,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, Director at Amnesty International Nepal.

 “The authorities are failing in their legal duty to protect the rights of the landless, some of the most vulnerable in society.”

The report focuses on emblematic cases of forced evictions between 2020 and 2024 that took place across Nepal including in Kathmandu, Siraha, Sunsari, Jhapa and Kailali districts. 

Together they represent diverse regions and types of eviction. In some cases, evictions took place as a result of development projects in urban settings, in others forced evictions were carried out in conservation areas in community forests and national parks, the report points out.

Other government failures include the failure to uphold specific protections for groups vulnerable to discrimination and marginalization, such as older people, children and persons with disabilities. In addition, authorities failed to follow procedures stipulated by the Lands Act relating to the identification and verification of landless Dalits and residents of informal settlements.

Moreover, authorities also failed to engage the affected communities in a process of genuine consultations prior to the evictions and provide them with adequate notice, requirements set forth both in Nepal’s Right to Housing Act and international human rights standards.

 “The Nepali authorities must safeguard the right to adequate housing, end the practice of forced eviction and ensure due process when evictions are deemed necessary. Without urgent and coordinated action to implement the right to adequate housing and establish regulatory frameworks, the cycle of forced evictions and human rights violations in Nepal will persist,” said Nirajan Thapaliya.

The research draws on field investigations conducted during two research trips to Kailali, Siraha, Sunsari and Jhapa districts in 2024, alongside sustained documentation and advocacy efforts by AI Nepal through its partner civil society organisations, the Amnesty International stated.

The five eviction cases documented in the research are: Kusum Khola, Madi Municipality of Chitwan district ( July 18, 2020); Chaukidanda, Ghodaghodi Municipality, Kailali district (May 1, 2021); Thapathali, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kathmandu district (November 28,  2022); Purano Airport Area, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali district (June 23,  2024); and Bhajani, Bhajani Municipality, Kailali district (25 June 2024).

The research featured 16 focus group discussions and 15 individual interviews, including interviews with officials from federal authorities such as the Land Issue Resolving Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, as well as provincial and local authorities.

The report also incorporates recommendations to the Government of Nepal, to the federal, provincial and local government, to the national human rights institutions, to the parliamentary committees and to the judiciary.

It’s not unnatural for you to feel like life is going nowhere sometimes. Nothing has changed. There is nothing that bothers you so much that you find it difficult to get out of bed and yet you slug through your days, hoping tomorrow will be different. We all hit these roadblocks in life where regular routines go for a toss and you just do what you have to without putting much thought into it, much less enjoying it or doing it mindfully. This is when most people decide to take a vacation and go somewhere to recharge.

As ideal and welcome as a vacation always is, it’s not always practical or possible. There are times and circumstances that keep you bound to your home and office but you know you need to do something to get out of the slump you seem to be in for no particular reason. Here are some simple and free ways you can reset your nervous system for a more relaxed and happy life. 

Wake up at the same time every day

It’s tempting to lounge around in bed when the weather is dreary or it’s raining. And it’s a good excuse as any when you don’t feel particularly motivated or excited about your day. But resist the temptation to laze around and get up at a set time, whatever it might be, every day to give your days some sort of structure even when it feels like there is none. Just the simple act of getting out of bed at a regular time every day gives you a semblance of normalcy. Many successful people all over the world have repeatedly talked about the power of getting up early or at a fixed time every day. It allows you to take charge of your days and creates a sense of discipline. 

Have a morning ritual you look forward to

Mediate, drink good coffee while reading the papers, or go for a walk with your headphones on—having a fixed morning ritual, and one that you look forward to, can significantly elevate how you feel about yourself and your day. If you don’t have a morning ritual, work on one. Do you like to read or journal perhaps? Create a ritual where you do what you like first thing in the morning. This helps you get out of bed a little more excited and set the right tone for your day as well. Make sure you keep your morning rituals simple and practical. You could also occasionally work on switching things up and changing your morning rituals as per your need. 

Get up and dress up

Most of the time, when you are working from home or don’t feel particularly up for anything during the weekends, you tend to lounge around in kaftans or pajamas. As comfortable and cozy as that might be sometimes, it’s not something you should do regularly. Make it a point to dress well after you get up and before you head out of your bedroom. Choose your outfit with care and get dressed. Put on your favorite piece of jewelry or do some light makeup to give your cheeks a pop of color. Trust us, it will make you feel a whole lot better. Dressing well and in clothes that make you feel good is an instant stress buster.

Practice mindfulness

Ideally, mornings should be slow. If you can, try not to rush through things. But even if slow mornings aren’t possible, take 20 minutes to practice mindfulness. By this, we don’t necessarily mean meditation but anything that relaxes you and you can do alone. It could be making a cup of matcha that requires all your concentration or reading some poetry, just gazing out of the window, or doing chores with your favorite music playing in the background. Being present in the moment is all it takes to reset your mind for what lies ahead. Our readers vouch for 15 minutes of quiet reading or some time spent in the garden as things that help them start their days on a lighter note. 

Schedule something fun

We tend to get caught in the rigmarole of the daily grind and forget to take out little pockets of time for ourselves to unwind and recharge. Your days don’t have to look and feel the same if you make it a point to switch things up whenever and however you can. It could be a lazy brunch with a friend during the weekend, or a visit to the farmer’s market. You could make plans to catch up with a friend for coffee during lunch hours. Even a short shopping trip where you give yourself a small budget and go on a treasure hunt of sorts to find as many items as you can without overshooting it can feel invigorating. Don’t wait for a vacation to reset your life. Try to find little things that you enjoy that you can indulge in on a daily basis. 

The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) gained 81. 77 points to close at 2,974. 50 points on Tuesday.

Similarly, the sensitive index surged by 14. 58 points to close at 517. 08 points.

A total of 43,581,228-unit shares of 319 companies were traded for Rs 20. 05 billion.

Meanwhile, Trade Tower Limited (TTL) was the top gainer today, with its price surging by 10. 00 percent. Likewise, 11% L.B.B.L. Debenture 2089 (LBBLD89) was the top losers as their price fell by 3. 94 percent.

At the end of the day, total market capitalization stood at Rs 1. 69 trillion.

Police have recovered 133 kg marijuana from near Jhaj Khola in Garuda Municipality-5, Rautahat on Tuesday.

Garuda police seized 13 bags of marijuana from a Brezza car (Ga 3 Cha 6796) heading towards Gaur from Chandranigahapur this morning, informed DSP Rajan Karki, Chief of the Area Police Office, Garuda.

Police intensified checking after receiving a tip-off that a red-colored Brezza car was heading towards the district headquarters, Gaur, with marijuana.

DSP Karki said that they are searching for the car driver and investigating into the case.

Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that Nepal's politics is built on the foundation of the national reconciliation policy adopted by BP Koirala.

Late BP Koirala is the founder of the Nepali Congress and the first people-elected Prime Minister of Nepal.

At a program jointly organized by BP Memorial Hospital, BP Memorial Foundation and Sports Department of the Nepali Congress on the occasion of 43rd BP Memorial Day today, NC President Deuba opined that BP Koirala's reconciliation policy is still relevant. 

He remembered that BP Koirala stood firmly in favour of democracy by sacrificing his life for the nation and the people. 

"In fact, BP's message that the country will be sovereign and prosperous only from a strong Congress and the reconciliation between national forces is still relevant," he argued. 

President Deuba mentioned that BP Koirala was of the firm opinion that national unity, country's prosperity and social harmony are greatest things than political interest.  

He stated that BP Koirala was not only a shining star of politics, but also of literature, as well as a thinker of democratic socialism. 

BP's political and literary thinking is also the guidelines for building a modern Nepal and he was always on stance that democratic system along with economic equality was indispensable to the country, added the NC President.

Deuba recalled that BP Koirala had returned to Nepal at a time when he was in exile and struggling against the then authoritarian Panchayat system from India analyzing the weakening of nationalism, adding the Nepali Congress is in present situation due to BP Koirala's ideals and values established from his sacrifice and contribution. 

The monsoon wind has its influence throughout the country at present with the monsoon low pressure trough to its average position, the Meteorological Forecasting Division said.

According to the Division, there are chances of heavy rainfall in one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces today. 

As the weather remains partly to generally cloudy throughout the country, light to moderate rain with thunder and lightning is likely to occur at some places of Koshi, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and the hilly regions of the country, according to the Division.  

The weather is predicted to remain partly to generally cloudy throughout the country tonight. 

There is a possibility of light to moderate rain at some places of Koshi, Madhes, Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces and the hilly mountainous regions of the country tonight. 

The Division has forecast that there are chances of heavy rainfall at one or two places of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki Provinces tonight.

In view of the risk of floods, landslides, and debris flow, the residents in the concerned areas have been urged to apply precautions and safety measures. 

The Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Government of Nepal and Project Implementing Agencies of Government of Nepal today signed Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) for undertaking five High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal under the grant assistance of Government of India in education and health sectors at a total estimated cost of Rs 390 million.

These five projects—Construction of Shree Jan Shakti Secondary School Building, Bateshwor-3 Bateshwor Rural Municipality, Dhanusha, Construction of Shree Mahobani Padam Secondary School, Pokhariya Municipality, Parsa, Construction of Shree Basuki Secondary School, Mellekh Rural Municipality, Achham, Construction of School Building, Hostel and Library of Benga Sah Secondary School, Prasauni Rural Municipality-2, Bara and Construction of five Bed Hospital Building, Nashon Rural Municipality -5, Manang   in Nepal shall be implemented through local authorities and institutions of the Government of Nepal including municipalities and rural municipalities.

The construction of these facilities will help provide better education and health facilities to the people in Nepal, reads a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Since 2003, the Government of India has taken up 579 High Impact Development Projects (HICDPs) in Nepal, including the five projects whose MoUs have been signed today. 

Out of these, 496 projects have been completed in the areas of health, education, drinking water, connectivity, sanitation and creation of public utilities across all seven provinces of Nepal at the grassroot level. The remaining  projects are ongoing at various stages. 

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide- ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. 

The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in empowerment of its people by augmenting infrastructure in priority sectors.

CPN-UML Chairman and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has urged Central Committee members to strengthen the party's internal unity.

Speaking at the ninth Central Committee meeting of the party that began today, Chair Oli stressed that the entire party line should be united as there was no ideological and policy-level dispute in the party.  

The party membership has increased by 139,000 (28 percent) in the recent period, thereby making the party organization stronger, he informed. 

Chair Oli called on party's central members to transform the party as a decisive force of the country, shared UML Central Publicity Department Chief, Rajendra Gautam. 

"There is no confrontation among us but we should be aware of possible efforts of some elements intending to create dispute and division," Chair Oli reminded. The Central Committee members were asked to put forth their views in the meeting. 

According to him, the opponents could not compete with UML ideology and performance.  

Leader Gautam shared that the discussion would also be held about the meeting between Chair Oli and former President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Sunday.

Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Prasad Paudel would present a statute amendment proposal while General Secretary an organizational report in the two-day meeting. 

Similarly, the meeting would discuss the managerial preparation of the upcoming Statute Convention.