Lekhnath, February 1:

Nepal Army (NA) today returned 22 ropanis of private land in Talchock of Lekhnath municipality after occupying it for three years.

The NA had seized the land during the direct rule of king on 1 February 2006 in the name of providing security for municipal elections. The NA personnel leaving Talchock will now be settled at Tanahun’s Khairenitar-based Rajdal Battalion.

The decision to return the land was taken at the highest level, an official of NA told The Himalayan Times. The land belonged to local Bhandaris.

One of the landowners, Sribhadra Bhandari, said he had not yet got

compensation for the seized land. “The NA had called me to take the compensation but I demanded my land back,” he told this daily.

Other landowners, Govinda Bhandari and Rameshwor Bhandari, also did not receive any compensation. “I have lodged a complaint in local administration and defence ministry, claiming compensation,” Rameshwor said.

The landowners have said they would make fences and cultivate the returned land. The government has fixed the price of the land as Rs 12 lakhs per ropani. The victimised landowners complained that they were hit hard, as they did not get any compensation though their land was near highway.

Meanwhile in Rukum district, the NA was yet to vacate the land that it had forcefully occupied some four years ago. The Narasingh Battalion of the NA had seized land belonging to 64 families at Chaurjahari four years ago. The victims have not got any compensation for the land.

“The process of providing compensation started in July and 15 families have been paid up so far,” Lt Jenith Limbu said, adding, providing compensation to other families was delayed as the government had not yet released the funds.

NA would not vacate the land until the government issues order, he added.