KATHMANDU: The government has once again invited agitating parties for talks to resolve the ongoing dispute over the construction of the Pathibhara cable car in the Taplejung.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued a statement on Friday urging the concerned parties to participate in dialogue to address social, religious, cultural, and local issues raised during the project’s development.
The appeal follows a violent clash on Thursday between security personnel and protestors at the Kaflepati base station of the Pathibhara cable car, leaving 12 people injured. The confrontation escalated when protestors surrounded the base station and attempted to vandalize it, leading to stone-pelting and police intervention.
A negotiation team, led by Prem Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was formed on February 2 to facilitate discussions with the agitating parties. Despite continuous talks since February 4, no agreement was reached, leading to the announcement of further protest programs after failed negotiations on February 9.
In a related incident, transport operators withdrew a strike after a vehicle headed to Kaflepati to rescue the injured was vandalized, and the driver, Rajkumar Poudel, was assaulted by protestors.
Following discussions with the agitating parties, they agreed to cover the costs of vehicle repairs and the driver’s medical expenases.
Poudel, initially treated at the District Hospital in Taplejung, was later transferred to B&C Hospital in Birtamod, Jhapa for advanced care. The attack had prompted the Purbanchal Yatayat transport service to suspend operations in protest.
The Ministry of Home Affairs continues to call for constructive dialogue, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute surrounding the Pathibhara cable car project.
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