KATHMANDU: Padam Chenji Mabo, who was smeared with black soot by members of the ‘No Cable Car’ group in Dharan on Sunday, received a grand welcome in Taplejung.
During a pro-cable car rally in Phungling, Taplejung, on Tuesday, Mabo was honored with traditional khadas and garlands.
Mabo, who was physically assaulted and smeared with soot by Mukkumlung Conservation Joint Struggle Committee activists in Dharan-9, declared upon reaching Taplejung that the cable car project would be completed at all costs.
He accused those opposing the project of spreading misinformation and obstructing the district’s development. “According to Yakthung Limbu’s Mundhum traditions, all rivers, forests, and mountains are sacred sites. However, infrastructure projects have been built in these areas before. The same activists now opposing the cable car remained silent when other structures were constructed,” Mabo said.
He pointed out that despite claims of protecting Mundhum sites, encroachments have already occurred in Taplejung and Tehrathum. “We are proposing the cable car’s top station one kilometer away from Mukkumlung, yet they are protesting. We understand cultural and natural heritage better than they do,” he added.
Challenging the ‘No Cable Car’ activists, Mabo asserted that building the cable car was a ‘sacred task’ and vowed not to back down. “We are ready to sacrifice ourselves for the development of the district. No matter what, we will complete the cable car,” he declared.
Ending his speech, he led the crowd in chanting, “Yes, Cable Car!” Mabo returned to Taplejung on Monday to rally support for the project after the Dharan incident.
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