KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak initiated discussions regarding the tension surrounding the construction of a cable car at Pathibhara in Taplejung, being developed by the IME Group.
On Tuesday at 5 PM, Minister Lekhak met with MPs representing Taplejung, Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, and Sankhuwasabha districts in federal parliament to address the issue. The discussions were held at Singha Durbar.
The dialogue followed Saturday’s clash between the ‘No Cable Car Group’ and security forces, which escalated tensions in the area. The government is expected to take appropriate steps regarding the cable car project based on the MPs’ feedback.
Participants in the meeting included UML Secretary Yogesh Bhattarai, who represents Taplejung in the House of Representatives, Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, and MPs Leela Devi Bokhim, Suhang Nembang, and Urmila Thebe. However, details from the discussions have yet to be disclosed.
The government is preparing to make decisions about the Pathibhara cable car based on suggestions gathered from the discussions.
The controversy escalated on Saturday when violent clashes broke out, leaving over 24 people injured. Among the injured, 20 were security personnel and four were protesters. Two protesters suffered gunshot wounds, and one sustained a fractured shoulder.
The tension reportedly increased after police searched homes, accusing the ‘No Cable Car Group’ of hiding weapons for the protests. What began as a minor clash in the afternoon turned violent by the evening.
The IME Group’s cable car project has sparked unrest in the Pathibhara area—referred to as ‘Mukkumlung’ by the indigenous community—for over a year.
On Monday, the ‘No Cable Car Group’ protested by staging demonstrations at the central and branch offices of Global IME Bank, chaired by Chandra Dhakal.
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