POKHARA, March 23: Pokhara has become embroiled in controversy of late, facing criticism for various actions such as painting houses green and cutting down forests to deal with monkey issues.
Recent developments have revealed that Pokhara metropolis has been making multifaceted moves, indicating actions that seem to transcend legal boundaries.
On March 12, Pokhara metropolis disregarded a High Court order despite being the defendant in the case. In case number 080-WO-0120, an interim order was issued under Rule 42 of the High Court Rules 2073, addressed to the respondents during a hearing presided over by Judge Milan Kumar Rai. The metropolis remained passive while certain businessmen continued to illegally encroach the land near Fewa Lake. Also, the metropolis failed to comply with an order issued by Pokhara High Court concerning certain businessmen.
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Locals on Friday expressed dissatisfaction with Pokhara Metropolis for disregarding their protests regarding encroachment of the land on the shore of Fewa Lake by leveling a hillock.
Businessman Yuvraj Khatiwada complained that the metropolis intervened by seizing vehicles involved in transporting soil under a private contract. Locals said that no similar actions were taken against other businessmen delivering soil in the same area.
On March 10, Pokhara metropolis confiscated one tripper and one tractor belonging to Saraswati Pahari while they were involved in soil excavation and filling land on private property. On March 12, Pokhara High Court issued an interim order under Rule 42 of the High Court Rules 2073 instructing the metropolis to immediately hand over the impounded vehicles to the petitioner and not to obstruct the petitioner from filling the land in her private property.
Meanwhile, Moti Timilsina, the spokesperson for Pokhara Metropolis, emphasized that the law applies equally to everyone and that strict actions will be taken against wrongdoers.
Dhanraj Acharya, the Mayor of Pokhara Metropolis, said that the Supreme Court's decision regarding protection of the lake will be implemented without hesitation, adding that the court's decision clears any obstacles to lake preservation efforts.
