Cable car dispute: Home Minister set to meet MPs from Koshi

Kathmandu, February 27 — To address the ongoing issues in the Pathibhara region, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has called for a discussion with the federal MPs representing Koshi Province on Thursday.

The meeting will be held at Singha Durbar, where Minister Lekhak and Home Secretary Gokarn Mani Duwadi are expected to engage in talks.

According to Home Ministry spokesperson (Joint Secretary) Ram Chandra Tiwari, the Minister will hold discussions with the federal MPs at 1 PM.

The eastern region of Nepal is in turmoil due to a dispute over the construction of a cable car in the Pathibhara area of Taplejung.

On January 25, the police fired at the "No Cable Car Group" protesting the project in Phungling Municipality-11. In the incident, Yam Bahadur Limbu and Sagun Lawati were injured by gunshots.

On February 22, clashes occurred between the protesters and security forces, resulting in more than a dozen injuries. Among them, AK Darnal from Dharan and Keshang Kumar Limbu were seriously injured.

Following the incidents, the government called on the protesting groups to return to the negotiating table. However, the protesters have refused to engage in talks. The group protesting in the Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) area has decided not to negotiate with the government-led committee headed by Home Ministry’s joint secretary, Prem Prasad Bhattarai.