Durga Prasai Threatens Kathmandu Mayor, Vows to Support Squatter Settlements

Kathmandu — Controversial medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has threatened to take on Kathmandu Metropolitan City chief Balen Shah. Visiting a squatter settlement (sukumbasi basti) near the Manohara river on Sunday, Prasai issued a strong warning against Balen and declared he would stand with the squatters.

Addressing locals at a meeting in the settlement, he urged them to join his movement, which he said would begin on Mangsir 7. Calling for people to raise their voices against the injustices being carried out against the squatters, Prasai said, “When you demolish the poor’s houses, be careful — your own house might be demolished. The atrocities against the squatters are unbearable.”

He challenged the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to clear the children’s home (Balmandir) before carrying out any actions against the squatter settlement. “First vacate the Balmandir, then even think about the squatter settlement. Before demolishing the homeless people’s houses, provide them with houses, roads, electricity and drinking water,” he said.

He also claimed to be on the side of the poor and the oppressed, and said he would be willing to stay in the squatter settlement if security were provided. Prasai asked the general public to support the indefinite “Nepal Bandha” protest he said would start on Mangsir 7.

“I am a person of the poor — Durga Prasai is a mendicant in rags. If you give me security, I am ready to live right here in the squatter settlement. From the east a person has risen to save you on the coming Mangsir 7. I want to come out on the streets with you; I want to protect you,” he said.