Biratnagar, January 26
Police opened fire on members of the “No Cable Car Group” protesting against the construction of a cable car in Fungling Municipality-11, Pathibhara, Taplejung. Two individuals sustained serious injuries in the incident, which occurred on Saturday evening.
The injured, identified as Yam Bahadur Limbu and Dharman Palungwa, are currently receiving treatment at the Taplejung District Hospital.
Chief District Officer (CDO) Netra Prasad Sharma confirmed the incident, stating that the clash occurred near Baludanda in the Pathibhara area. He said, “The protesters were throwing stones and using slingshots from higher ground, prompting security forces to open fire. Two people were injured.” The incident took place around 6 pm, following a day of intermittent clashes in the area.
Earlier, Suman Lawati, a supporter of the movement opposing the cable car, was injured during the confrontations.
The tension arose after the construction company began work on the Pathibhara cable car project last Tuesday. Opponents of the project argue that it will erode the cultural and natural identity of the Pathibhara area. The protesters, under the “No Cable Car Movement,” had planned to escalate their demonstrations starting Sunday.
Supporters of the movement had gathered at Baludanda, which they have been using as a base. Police arrived in the area earlier in the day to disperse the group, seizing some of their materials prepared for the protest. Later in the evening, as police attempted to intervene again, protesters resisted from higher ground, leading to the shooting.
Niranti Tumbapo, General Secretary of the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung, criticized the use of force, stating, “We were preparing for a peaceful protest starting Sunday. Instead, the state targeted and fired at our members. Two of our comrades are critically injured.”
The incident has drawn attention to ongoing tensions between development projects and local cultural preservation efforts in the region.
