Kathmandu, May13:

Prime Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai assured the landless squatters on Sunday that the government would make an alternative arrangement for their settlement. .

During a visit of Bagmati riverside at Thapathali where illegal squatters were evicted a few days ago, Dr. Bhattarai said that the government would arrange their alternative settlement in some other areas.

"The government will bring a package program for those who were displaced from the Bagmati River banks," Dr. Bhattarai said.

The Prime Minister said that the landless squatters could be resettled at the premises of the closed Himal Cement Factory at Chovar.

He said that the current situation is the result of believing in the false promises made by some NGOs and INGOs.

He said that the landless squatters should help the government maintain clean environment of the metropolis. He urged them to think about new areas for their resettlement.

The Prime Minister said that the government was preparing to identify the real landless squatters and those who are not genuine.

During the visit of the cleared squatter settlement, Dr. Bhattarai directed Kathmandu City Development Authority Chairman Keshav Sthapit to resettle them in the land of Himal Cement Factory.

Dr. Bhattarai inquired about the situation of landless squatters and said that the government was serious about the problems faced by squatters across the country.

He made a commitment that the government would provide relief assistance to the squatters to address their problems.

On the occasion, member of the Unified National Landless Squatter Front Narayan Parisrami gave a memorandum to the Prime Minister and demanded the resettlement of the displaced squatters.

He demanded an alternative arrangement for settlement as well as education and health facilities to the child and senior squatters.

He also demanded long term policy to address the grievances of the landless squatters.