TAPLEJUNG, Feb 3: The agitating locals of Pathibhara have formed a negotiation committee to resolve the ongoing dispute over the construction of a cable car in the famed pilgrimage site.
The Mukkumlung Conservation Movement, supported by political parties and organizations dedicated to the protection of the forest areas locally known as ‘Mukkumlung,’ announced the formation of the negotiation committee led by academician Amar Tumyahang.
A press release issued by the organization further states that Shankar Limbu, Ram Maden, and Saraswati Saru are the members of the committee.
The press release clarified that the negotiation committee was formed to establish a conducive environment for dialogue and find a permanent solution to the ongoing crisis.
Tensions have been escalating in Taplejung as police personnel and agitating locals are engaged in frequent clashes following the initiative to construct the Pathibhara Cable Car. Locals have opposed the construction arguing it undermines cultural and religious identities of the Limbu/Yakthumba community and also threatens their livelihood.
Meanwhile, the government has also formed a dialogue committee to resolve the issues related to the cable car.
The committee formed by the government on Sunday will be chaired by Joint Secretary Prem Prasad Bhattarai.
Spokesperson Ram Chandra Tiwari of the Ministry of Home Affairs stated in a press release that Bhattarai will lead the committee, which will include representatives from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Ministry of Urban Development.
On January 25, a clash broke out at Baludanda area in Pathibhara opposing the construction of the cable car. Subsequently, the agitators called for a strike from January 28 to February 1 on the Mechi Highway, the Tamor Corridor, and at the entry points into Taplejung from Tehrathum, demanding the cancellation of the cable car project and the release of their detained activists. They called for a transport shutdown in nine districts east of Arun river for Sunday and Monday and have also announced a general strike in these districts thereafter.