The government and the protesting ‘No Cable Car Group’ have reached a six-point agreement regarding the ongoing dispute over the construction of a cable car in the Pathibhara area. The deal has led to the lifting of a transportation strike that had been in place since January 28 in several districts of eastern Nepal.

The government team, led by Home Ministry joint secretary Prem Prasad Bhattarai, and the protesters’ talks coordination committee, headed by Amar Tumyahang, signed the agreement after seven hours of negotiations on Monday and 11 hours on Tuesday.

As per the agreement, the construction of the cable car station above the designated site will be halted, while discussions on its future will take place in upcoming negotiations. Additionally, the government has committed to providing free and effective medical treatment to those injured during the protests and initiating an investigation into the events of January 25, with legal action to follow.

One of the key agreements includes the unconditional release of 18 detainees arrested in Taplejung, Damak, and Inaruwa during the protests. The government had initially proposed their release following legal procedures, but the protesters demanded immediate and unconditional freedom.

Protesters from the Mukkumlung region, which encompasses nine districts including Taplejung, Panchthar, and Ilam, had enforced a transport strike, severely affecting daily life. The strike led to clashes in several areas, including Itahari and Damak, where security forces intervened.

In response to the unrest, the government facilitated medical treatment for the injured protesters. Those in critical condition were first taken to district hospitals and later airlifted to Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital.

With this agreement, the prolonged conflict surrounding the cable car project has entered a new phase of negotiation. The two sides will meet again on February 9 to discuss further disagreements regarding the Pathibhara cable car project and the concerns raised by the Mukkumlung Struggle Committee.