KATHMANDU, Feb 2: The indefinite transport closure, which began over the construction of a cable car in the Pathibhara area, has affected normal life in Taplejung. On the sixth day of the shutdown on Sunday, short and long-distance vehicles leaving Taplejung could not operate. The protesters have also imposed restrictions on two-wheelers.
The shutdown has also led to shortages of daily necessities. Narayan Thapa, president of Taplejung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI), said that there is a shortage of cooking gas, chicken feed, and even supplemental food items. The TCCI has stated that it has repeatedly urged the government to negotiate with both parties involved in the protest and find a solution after calling off the shutdown to restore normalcy in daily life.
Similarly, the TCCI will urge the Government of Nepal and the provincial government through the District Administration Office on Sunday to ensure an environment for dialogue with the agitating parties and seek effective conclusions, said Kamal Limbu, General Secretary of the Taplejung Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
UML MP urges dialogue on Pathibhara Cable Car dispute
According to him, the TCCI is also preparing to submit a letter of attention to the Phungling Municipality to resolve the problem through a process of dialogue. On Monday, the TCCI announced that it is preparing for a peaceful rally to pressure both the protesting parties and the government to return to talks and resolve the ongoing issues.
On January 25, a clash broke out at Baludanda in the Pathibhara region. In the aftermath, the ‘No Cable Car’ group has called for a strike from the 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 have 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.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal, has dispatched a letter to the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration(MOFAGA) on January 31 to immediately take steps to resolve the problem, as MOFAGA is responsible for regulating cable car-related issues. The agitating parties, however, have said that they have not yet received formal information from the government for talks.
The protesting party has put forward the main condition that the cable car project should be canceled, and in the initial phase, construction equipment and security personnel should be withdrawn from the site, and arrested activists should be released.
