The Pathibhara cable car issue in the Mukkumlung (Pathibhara) region of the eastern Taplejung district is escalating. As soon as the government endorsed the project, and it was recognised as a “national pride project” by the National Planning Commission in 2018, local communities and environmental activists started voicing their discontent. However, since March 2024, tensions have boiled over into clashes between the police and protesters, who are opposing the project due to its encroachment on their ancestral land and the environmental repercussions. Since the clash in January between the police and the struggle committee, several protests have turned violent. Thirteen people were injured as protestors opposing the project tried to march towards the construction site on Thursday. Similarly, in Saturday’s violent confrontation between the “No Cable Car” group and police in Phungling, both sides sustained injuries.

Although a six-point agreement was signed on February 4 between the protesters and the government on halting the development of the cable car station above the selected site, the protestors were dissatisfied with the government negotiating team led by Home Ministry joint secretary Prem Prasad Bhattarai. They requested a ministerial-level delegation for forthcoming talks, highlighting the political nature of the matter and how the bureaucracy in the negotiating team is only responsible for implementing the policies and regulations set by political leaders. However, their demand for a political-level negotiating body has been ignored. Prithivi Subba Gurung, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, even said there was no need for another dialogue team, which in turn triggered a second round of protest of the “No Cable Car” group in the second week of February.

In light of the heightened tensions last week, the government released a statement expressing its willingness to address the social, religious and cultural issues raised by the local people and invited them for talks. However, this is only a symbolic gesture, as the government still wants to proceed with a team of bureaucrats. This will only agitate the already angry protesters and lead to more disputes. According to the protesters, the government has also not entirely fulfilled the six-point agreement, as they argue that three individuals were granted bail with conditions, while the agreement called for their unconditional release.

The government has clearly failed to grasp why the locals are protesting. Limbus, the indigenous people of the Mukkumlung-Pathibhara region, follow the Mundhum, an ancient Kirati scripture which is animistic and shamanistic. To them, the Mukkumlung hill is revered, symbolising the goddess Yuma Sammang. Further, these local communities have nurtured the forest, which is rich in biodiversity and home to over 25 species of rhododendrons and rare animals like red pandas, black bears. Given the sensitivity of this matter, it is the government’s duty to honour the locals’ sentiments before proceeding with further action. It simply cannot ignore the protestors’ demands, thinking that ensuing protests can be stifled with force—which, if true, would also be a deeply undemocratic mindset.

The main groups opposing the cable car project were previously the Mukkumlung Struggle Committee, the Cable Car Cancellation Joint Struggle Committee, and the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung. However, recent developments have added a new layer to the protests with the support of political forces, including the Rastriya Janamukti Party and the Loktantrik Rastriya Manch, which advocate for identity politics. If both sides do not reach a compromise, the issue will only get bigger and worsen with time. It is positive that the protestors are willing to talk to a political-level body. The government should heed them before things get out of control.