Lawmakers of the Koshi Province Assembly have demanded that the conflict surrounding the Pathibhara Cable Car construction be resolved through dialogues without further delay.
Speaking at the zero hour of the provincial meeting today, lawmaker Binod Kumar Lingthep from Sankhuwasabha urged the federal, provincial and local governments to address the issue at the earliest.
Province Assembly member from Ilam, Shamsher Rai, flayed the province government for suppressing the locals' protest against the proposed Pathibhara Cable Car construction. Rai has also demanded free treatment for those injured in the clash between the security personnel and the protestors.
"I would like to urge the government to address the conflict surrounding the Pathibhara Cable Car construction at the earliest," he said," The Chief District Officer stated that this issue could not be resolved at the district administration level. The federal or provincial government should take the initiative in addressing it."
He asserted that the government should abandon the idea of using force, including opening fire, to resolve the Pathibhara conflict as it involves sensitive issues of local identity and place name."
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) lawmaker Sabina Bajgain lashed out at the government for using force in Taplejung rather than holding dialogues to address the issue.
Nepali Congress lawmaker Pradeep Kumar Sunuwar condemned the government's modus operandi of using force to quell the Pathibhara conflict. Sunuwar urged the concerned to resolve the issue through dialogues and provide treatment for the injured.
Similarly, NC lawmaker Govinda Giri urged the government to address the conflict surrounding the Pathibhara Cable Car Construction. He further said that the government should come clear on Pathibhara Cable Car construction and address the issue through dialogues bringing the protestors and the Cable Car construction company.
Likewise, CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Kamal Prasad Jabegu claimed that the security personnel opened fire on Saturday evening, resulting in four people injured, two critically. The clash took place when the people were about to take dinner in Pathibhara area, according to Jabegu.
"Four protestors sustained injuries, two of them critically," said Jabegu, "Two among those injured need to be airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment."
He asserted that the province government should immediately halt construction work until a concrete decision is reached on whether to maintain the status quo at Pathibhara or proceed with the construction of the cable car.
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