TLF captures royal land

Pokhara, June 6:

The pro-Maoist Tam-uwan Liberation Front (TLF) today claimed it has captured over 50 ropanis of land in Pokhara belonging to the royal family. It said the group has also hoisted party flags on the land.

TLF cadres said while one plot — 48 ropanis and 14 annas (Plot no 1762 and 1763) — on the banks of the Fewa lake belonged to the late king Gyanendra’s great grandmother Ishwori Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, another at Ratna Chowk of Pokhara-7 — one ropani, 12 annas and one paisa (Plot no 30) — belonged to the late princess Princep Shah. TLF’s Gandak regional coordinator Lal Bahadur Gurung said the plots of land were captured as part of the first

phase of the front’s programme to seize all land owned by the royal family in the region.

“This step by us is symbolic in nature. In the next phase, we will capture property and hotels owned by the palace,” Gurung said. He added that the front is aware that the royal family owns 210 ropanis of land in Pokhara valley alone.

The front launched the campaign to caution the government, which is not taking the initiatives to nationalise the royal family’s property, said TLF advisor and former deputy mayor of Pokhara sub-metropolis Captain Man Bahadur Gurung.

Another TLF advisor Iman Bahadur Gurung said the front has launched a phased agitation since May 28 to ensure a federal democratic republic and guarantee ethnic and regional autonomy in the country.

TLF cadres, who are also removing the names of royal family members from institutions and organisations, erased “Dipendra” from the signboard of Dipendra City Hall at Naya Sadak.