In pictures: Scuffle between opponents and supporters of cable car in Taplejung

Biratnagar, November 8 — Six people, including a police officer, were injured in a scuffle over the construction of a cable car in the Pathibhara area of Taplejung on Friday.

The injured include 45-year-old Chandra Maden from Phungling Municipality-4, 40-year-old Damodar Adhikari from the same area, 26-year-old Kumar Sherpa from Meringden Rural Municipality-4, and 41-year-old Arjun Limbu from Phaktanglung Rural Municipality-5.

During the clash, Armed Police Force (APF) Inspector Digendra Oli and Head Constable Abhinash Majhi also sustained minor injuries. The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment, with Maden receiving care at the Taplejung District Hospital, and Adhikari and Sherpa being treated at the Tamor Hospital.

The scuffle occurred while Himalayan Construction Pvt. Ltd., the company responsible for the cable car project, was bringing an excavator to the construction site in the Kafflepati area of Pathibhara. The police had initially seized the excavator's key due to potential conflicts between the supporters and opponents of the cable car project. After the key was seized, the project supporters became agitated, leading to the scuffle, according to locals.

According to Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma, the police seized the key under his instructions. Phungling Municipality Mayor Amir Maden stated that the clash occurred because the key was seized. The excavator was to be used for the foundation stone laying ceremony of the project the same day.

CDO Sharma explained that the presence of project opponents at the site and the tense situation made it necessary to prevent further conflict by seizing the excavator's key. After the brief clash, the police chased away the opponents of the project.

The cable car project is being developed by Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd., led by Chandra Dhakal, who is also the president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). Since the project’s inception, the Mukkumlung Joint Struggle Committee and the Cable Car Abolition Struggle Committee have been protesting against the project.

Photos: Chandra Pandak