Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Members of the House of Representatives have demanded the immediate suspension of the cable car construction in the Pathibhara Temple area of Taplejung district.
Speaking in the House of Representatives meeting on Sunday, they said the government should not implement development works by pitting people against each other.
Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairperson and Rajendra Lingden said the state has resorted to suppressing people’s peaceful protest of the cable car construction. “The Pathibhara area in Taplejung has become restless. It has turned into a kind of battlefield. The entire state power is being used to suppress and carry out the cable car construction,” Lingden said. “This should be stopped immediately. It is not in anyone’s interest.”
Lingden added that the only way to calm the tense environment is to stop the cable car construction. “No more bloodshed should occur. People’s lives are at risk. The work of dividing society and pitting brothers against each other should be stopped,” he added.
The RPP Chair also accused the Prime Minister, Home Minister, political parties, human rights activists and civil society of remaining mute spectators while the Pathibhra area turned into a battlefield.
Toshima Karki of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) demanded that the government immediately suspend the construction of cable car and hold discussions with local residents and stakeholders to find a solution. “The government has not been able to resolve the problem. Is this the guardianship shown by the government? Trust in the government has been shaken,” Karki said, adding that development carried out by beating citizens with batons, shooting, and killing cannot be termed development.
Similarly, Ram Kumar Rai of CPN (Maoist Center) urged all concerned to resolve the dispute through talks. “The government can never win over people through suppression. Politics over identity and any ethnic community is wrong,” he added.
However, CPN-UML lawmaker Yogesh Bhattarai said that the cable car construction process after the developer received all necessary approvals. “No one is against development, no one is against religion and culture. Controversy arose as some people are doing politics in the name of culture and religion” Bhattarai, who was elected to parliament from Taplejung, said. “It is okay to oppose the cable car construction. However, some groups are presented themselves in an anarchic manner and made Phungling restless on Saturday. The houses of the general public have been set on fire.”
