The ethnic groups calling for identity-based naming of the Koshi Province now seem to be concentrating their energies in protests against the Pathibhara cable car project in Taplejung. This apparent shift has led to allegations that they are using religious issues to gain traction after their identity-based politics failed to gather momentum.

Amar Tumyahang, a representative of the ‘No Cable Car’ campaign, acknowledges that the fight for identity-based naming has now morphed into the fight in Pathibhara. However, he insists that the original cause has not been abandoned and argues that the religious aspect reinforces their identity-based agenda.

“We have opposed the decision on the project ever since the Cabinet approved it in 2018,” he said.

In July 2018, the National Planning Commission accorded the Pathibhara cable car project ‘national priority’ following a recommendation of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.

“So, it’s not true that we shifted focus to the cable car project only after our campaign for identity-based nomenclature in Koshi failed to gain momentum,” claimed Tumyahang.

On March 1, 2023, the provincial assembly named Province 1 as Koshi, reflecting the region’s geography as part of the Koshi river basin, Nepal’s major river system. The name, proposed by the CPN-UML, was endorsed by an overwhelming majority, with assembly members from the Nepali Congress, the CPN (Maoist Centre), and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) voting in favour.

However, the decision angered various ethnic groups, which had been demanding a name reflecting the identity of the region’s main communities. The groups then took to the streets in protest.

On November 18, the group announced a new phase of protest over the nomenclature. In a bid to address their concerns, the provincial government formed a three-member dialogue committee.

Rewati Raman Bhandari, the province’s Internal Affairs and Law Minister, says the group has diverted its focus to the Pathibhara cable car protest.

“At present, there is no active movement on the naming of the Koshi Province as that group has diverted attention to the cable car project,” Bhandari told the Post. “It would be too early to say they have abandoned the nomenclature issue, but their primary focus is now on the cable car.”

Fresh clashes broke out between the ‘No Cable Car’ group and police in Phungling, the district headquarters of Taplejung, on Saturday evening. The confrontation occurred at Birendra Chowk following a torchlight march by protesters returning from Kaflepati.

Provincial minister Bhandari said both protesters and security personnel sustained minor injuries. Protesters from Panchthar, Terhathum, and other districts also participated in the demonstrations. However, Bhandari said, “There were no serious incidents, no human casualties, but there was some property damage.”

On Sunday, the local administration had to impose prohibitory orders until further notice in Phungling and Kaflepati as tensions escalated over the project.

Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma issued the order, banning gatherings of more than five people, rallies, and demonstrations from 5am on Sunday until further notice.

Minister Bhandari also suggested that the Rastriya Mukti Party chair and former deputy prime minister Rajendra Mahato had a role in stirring tensions in Taplejung. Mahato reached Taplejung on February 19 to participate in the ‘Save Mukkumlung [Limbu name for Pathibhara area] Walkathon’ organised by the agitating group and took part in the demonstrations on February 20.

“Mahato’s presence contributed to disrupting social harmony in the area,” Minister Bhandari claimed. “However, unless the people of Taplejung themselves are convinced about the cable car construction, outsider influences will have little impact.”

Tumyahang dismissed allegations that Mahato’s visit escalated tensions and argued that such charges stem from prejudice. “There’s a common mindset among hill communities that whenever a Madheshi leader supports an agenda, it must be an attempt at infiltration,” Tumyanhang argued.

Keshav Jha, a leader of Mahato’s Rastriya Mukti Party, also criticised the government for trying to frame Mahato’s visit as an external interference.

“The infiltration narrative is just an excuse for the government. Mahato’s visit had nothing to do with the unrest,” Jha said.

Violence had previously erupted in Pathibhara on January 25 when clashes broke out between the ‘No Cable Car Group’ and security personnel. Two protesters got gunshot wounds and several others were injured.

The disputed project involves a 2.7 km cable car linking Kaflepati in ward 10 of Phungling to the Pathibhara Temple. The agitating groups argue that Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) is a sacred site for the Limbu community and should be preserved in its original state.

The Mukkumlung Struggle Committee, the Cable Car Cancellation Joint Struggle Committee, the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung, and some political forces advocating identity-based politics including the Rastriya Mukti Party and the Loktantrik Rastriya Manch, have been protesting against the project.

The agitating groups also claim that apart from the UML, most of the political parties’ local-level leaders support their cause. At the national-level, they say, the CPN (Maoist Centre) is sympathetic to their agenda, while individual politicians across the political spectrum also support their demands.

However, Yogesh Bhattarai, the secretary of the UML and a federal lawmaker from Taplejung, insists that local politicians from across the political spectrum support the project.

“As an elected representative from Taplejung, I am in favor of the cable car, and as far as I know, so are local leaders from all political parties in Taplejung,” Bhattarai said.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress publicity department head, Min Bahadur Bishwakarma, said his party neither supports nor opposes the protest but believes the issue should be resolved in a way that reflects local sentiments.

“If the agitating groups want a high-level political mechanism for dialogue, the government should consider it,” Bishwakarma said.

After the first round of dialogue with the joint secretary of the Home Ministry Prem Prasad Bhattarai-led team, the agitating group demanded that a high-level political dialogue team be formed to address their demands. However, the government has been reluctant to do so.

The IME Group is currently developing the cable car. The group took over the cable car project from Yeti Holdings two years ago. But the Sanghai Groups were the first to be entrusted with the Pathibhara cable car project.