Cable car construction faces local objection

By Chandra Pandak

Taplejung, July 22:  Mukkumlung Struggle Committee has declared to disallow the construction of cable car to Pathivara Temple, also known as Mukkumlung by Limbu community, in Taplejung district under present conditions.

The Mukkumlung Struggle Committee, which has been protesting the cable car’s construction since the process began, made the declaration amid a press conference organised in district headquarters Phungling on Wednesday.

According to the committee, they have put forth a five-point demand and will allow the construction only if the demands are met.

“It is impossible to begin the construction of the cable car to Mukkumlung until our demands are fulfilled,” said Indira Menyangbo Limbu, Taplejung district chairman of Kirat Yakthum Chumlung (KYC).

Limbu suggested that denying the reservations from the locals by Phungling Municipality will not lead to a solution.

“Phungling Municipality amended the directive and allowed Pathivara Cable Car Company to construct a cable car to Pathivara Temple. 

"The amendments and cable car construction is a humiliation to the indigenous community of this area,” said Saroj Kangliwa Limbu, assistant coordinator of the struggle committee.

Saroj warned of intense protest against the municipality’s move of extending the company’s deadline by amending the directive related to cable car.

Among the five points put forth by the committee, it demanded renaming the temple as Mukkumlung, the name mentioned in Mundhum of Limbu people. Mundhum is the ancient 

religious scripture of Limbu community.

Similarly, the committee has demanded withdrawal of the government decision to form Pathivara Area Development Committee and allow its management to local 

indigenous people by forming Mukkumlung Area Development Committee.

The committee has also filed a case in the district court under the basis of five-point demands. 

It is still under consideration in the court. 

Phungling Municipality’s executive meeting, on July 13, had extended the contract with Pathivara Cable Car Company by amending the prevailing directive.  

“Under the meeting’s decision, the contract was extended on July 14,” said Mohan Neupane, Phungling Municipality spokesperson.

Since the extension, the locals have been further agitated.