The Lands Grabbing in Khokana – the Ancestral Lands of Newa

Overview

Khokana –the ancestral lands of Newa Indigenous Peoples, located in Southern Lalitpur, is in under serious threats due to the  development aggression being carried out without obtaining Free Prior Informed and Consent (FPIC) of Newa Indigenous Peoples. Multiple development projects (Express Highway/fast track, Outer Ring Road, Bagmati Corridor, Satellite City, and a high-tension power) are set to be operated in Khokana that likely to create adverse impact on Newa IPs to livelihoods, Identity, cultural heritage etc. The projects are causing displacement (physical and economic) of Newa Indigenous Peoples and other local communities.The fast track highway alone has to acquire 912 Ropanies of land in Lalitpur area.

Now, the express highway – a largest infrastructure National Pride development project with 76.2km from Khokana, Lalitpur to Nijgad of Bara district – is being managed by the Nepal Army. Asian Development Bank and World Bank (WB) have reportedly involved providing support for the project, but the authentic full information has not been disclosed.

Affected Indigenous Peoples, Save Nepa Valley Movement, Nepal Sanskritik Punarjagaran Abhiyan, Community Empowerment and Social Justice (CEmSoJ) - an NGO working for social justice and human rights including other Indigenous Peoples Organizations are making joint effort to promote self-determined development and cultural heritage.

 

LAHURNIP is providing legal support to the affected communities to secure their rights.

Media Coverage

20 November 2020 : मुआब्जा नदिई काम अघि बढाएको भन्दै द्रुतमार्ग निर्माणमा खोकनावासीको अवरोध : https://www.onlinekhabar.com/2020/11/910382

10 Augusrt 2020 : Indigenous groups feel deprived of their access to land and natural resources : https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/08/10/indigenous-groups-feel-deprived-of-their-access-to-land-and-natural-resources?fbclid=IwAR1eBoWKMir7bBxiy6ZDg_Y96gW5cHA7cXTRBsQmwNjHccn4oD5THanm9Wg

6 August 2020 : खोकना र बुङ्मतीमा पुगे युनेस्को र आइएलओका प्रतिनिधि : https://www.newsofnepal.com/2020/08/06/342491/?fbclid=IwAR2l_P8GiHXZLFuAMGFzGpjl86c1b0WeSAiIn7NH9erkQyh5g0IYghi35fc#.Xywu7WM0bAc.facebook4 July 2020 : Khokana locals, police clash over ‘paddy transplantation protest’

7 July 2020 : Bidya Shrestha Maharjan physically assaulted by police personnel : https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/bidya-shrestha-maharjan-physically-assaulted-police-personnel

11 July 2020 : आदिवासी र विकासबीचको द्वन्द्व : https://www.nayapatrikadaily.com/news-details/46671/2020-07-05?fbclid=IwAR1QnNyEnuzhuzR-TsU0eXvHo6wgFz0CL47lidE0Hc2Fysu2cwTiTHYodqQ

5 July 2020 : Listen to the people of Khokana : https://www.indigenousvoice.com/en/listen-to-the-people-of-khokana.html
4 July 2020 : Khokana locals, police clash over ‘paddy transplantation protest’ : https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2020/07/04/four-policemen-injured-in-clash-with-locals-in-khokana?fbclid=IwAR2-tg-lzK0gxLxJl3SjMOPG6vk41CpgXEaiaPEi_LG4lMCV2rdhorvCEUw

4 July 2020 : खोकना जनतामाथि सरकारले गरेको अमानवीय क्रुरताप्रती; चार संस्थाको ध्यानाकर्षण : https://nepalisamachar.com/?p=18677&fbc

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4 July 2020 : Khokana locals, police clash over ‘paddy transplantation protest’ : https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2020/07/04/four-policemen-injured-in-clash-with-locals-in-khokana?fbclid=IwAR005zTqzJ2UXG7fjX5lQdG0Aajnx9pvAGD5dUljdnHx0n2onUL5XoN0HM0

29 April 2020 : Khokana and Bungamati strive to save heritage : https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/khokana-and-bungamati-strive-to-save-heritage/

19 Janaury January 2018 : Ambitious pride projects threaten Khokana heritage : https://www.recordnepal.com/wire/features/ambitious-pride-projects-threaten-khokana-heritage/

19 March 2018 : Fast Track brings fear of displacement to Khokana : https://www.recordnepal.com/wire/fast-track-brings-fear-of-displacement-to-khokana/

14 March 2018 : Locals of Khokana, Bungmati oppose expressway project : https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/locals-of-khokana-bungmati-oppose-expressway-project/

20 December 2018 : Khokana, Bungamati locals protest against government’s move to demolish historical settlements : https://kathmandupost.com/visual-stories/2018/12/20/khokana-bungmati-locals-protest-against-governments-move-to-demolish-historical-settlements

20 September 2018 : From Kathmandu to Tarai : https://www.csopartnership.org/single-post/2018/10/19/From-Kathmandu-to-Tarai2 April 2018 : Khokana locals stage protest : https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/khokana-locals-stage-protest/