Kathmandu, September 29:

Individuals and organisations have captured over 45 ropanis of government-owned land in different places of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), including Sinamangal, Balaju, Maharajgunj and Thapathali, said Gyanendra Karki, convenor of the committee formed on August 17 to check the encroachment of public land in KMC. He said they have transferred the ownership of the land in their names.

Karki said two ropanis of land behind the KIA Motors showroom in Tinkune and the land lying behind the Sanchargram, Sinamangal, has been grabbed.

According to him, the encroachers have transferrred the ownership of the land in their names. “Squatters have captured a large portion of public land. Temples have been built at public plots.”

The KMC would recommend the government to take action against the people and organisations capturing the public land. The Land Revenue Office should be aware of such illegal activities, he said. Karki said the committee had not been able to work in full swing as the member-secretary of the committee Krishna Hari Kayastha has fallen ill.

Though the committee has been given 45 days to submit its report, Karki said the report would be submitted before Tihar. Karki also said many people have filed complaints against the encroachment of public land.

Chief executive officer of the KMC Dinesh Thapaliya said the metropolis would put pressure on the government to seize the captured public land. It is the duty of the KMC to protect and utilise public land, he said, adding that it would take legal action against those who have encroached public land. The KMC wants the local communities to help conserve public land, he said.