Nepal, April 25 -- Along the banks of the Manohara River in Bhaktapur, a quiet but significant shift is underway. Families are packing up belongings, dismantling tin roofs, and preparing to leave behind a settlement many had called home for years-some for more than a decade.

The squatter settlement in Lokanthali, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality-1, is being vacated as part of the government's renewed push to clear structures built on public and private land. Unlike past crackdowns marked by resistance, this time many residents appear to be leaving on their own.

All 777 households in the settlement have begun vacating, expressing support-at least publicly-for the government's campaign. By mid-afternoon, around 80 percent had already left wi...