Dialogue Between Iih Campaigner and KMC Ends Inconclusively

The dialogue between representatives of the social campaigner Iih and the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) concluded without a resolution on Tuesday night. The KMC, which had initially agreed to permit street vendors to conduct business at specific times and designated locations until the upcoming Chhath festival, appeared to backtrack on its commitments.

According to Iih, there had been a prior agreement to allow business operations at the proposed locations, with a draft proposal even being sent to the vendors. However, the situation took a sudden turn when the proposal reached the office of Mayor Balen Shah. Iih expressed disappointment, stating, “All the efforts for dialogue failed. The doors of possibilities have closed. He changed the things agreed upon by his own representatives.” Iih further criticized Mayor Shah, calling his actions “hubristic and arrogant,” and expressed concerns about the impact of such leadership not only on the KMC but also on the entire country.

Iih also claimed that Deputy Mayor Dangol had given assurances during her earlier meeting with him on Tuesday.

KMC Spokesperson and Chairman of Ward No 17, Navin Manandhar, who led the KMC’s dialogue team, explained that ward chairs of the proposed business locations objected once news of the agreement was made public. He stated, “They asked why business should be allowed in their wards without consulting them. Consequently, we have removed the names of places from the draft proposal and have scheduled a dialogue with the ward chairs.”

Manandhar asserted that the vendors and Iih made the proposal public while it was still under discussion.

Bhup Dev Shah, the Personal Secretary to Mayor Shah, refuted the allegations that the proposal was changed by the mayor. He clarified, “A draft is not an agreement. The conclusion of the demands was drawn. They made it public during the discussion. This was the reason today’s deal could not be agreed upon. They refused when we sought a week for discussion.”

Campaigner Iih has been staging a protest in front of the KMC office, aimed at reminding Mayor Balen Shah and Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol of their pre-election promises.

Iih has been stationed in front of the KMC office since last Tuesday afternoon, protesting what he considers inhumane treatment of street vendors by the KMC. Deputy Mayor Dangol met with him after he completed 165 hours of his standing protest.