KATHMANDU: The protesters issued a press release on Friday demanding the formation of a new negotiation committee, as the third round of talks between the government and protesters, who are fighting to halt the construction of the cable car in Mukkumalung/Pathibhara, is scheduled to take place on Sunday.

The protesters have accused the government of failing to honor the six-point agreement made between the two parties last week.

The agreement had called for a ten-day halt in the construction of the cable car and the unconditional release of three detainees.

However, according to the protesters’ statement, the government has not “honestly implemented” the agreement.

The government’s secretary-level negotiation team has been unable to address critical issues, such as the cancellation of the cable car project, during the two-day talks.

Consequently, the protesters have demanded that a ministerial-level negotiation committee be formed.

They have warned that if the government does not meet their demands by today (Sunday) and create a conducive environment for talks, they will announce a “stronger movement” starting February 10.

The day after the protesters issued their statement, Chandra Dhakal, chairman of Pathibhara Devi Darshan Cable Car Pvt. Ltd., the company responsible for the cable car construction, held a press conference on Saturday. Dhakal reiterated that the cable car would be built in a way that would not disrupt the religious sentiments of the community.

He argued that the construction would preserve the historicity and identity of the temple, and would only include basic infrastructure like water, toilets, and oxygen facilities at the upper station for the convenience of pilgrims.

According to Dhakal, the project would not affect the environment, beauty, or cultural integrity of the temple and its surroundings.

Tensions escalated when three people were seriously injured after security personnel opened fire on protesters opposing the cable car project in Mukkumalung/Pathibhara.

The protesters were arrested, and as a result, transportation was suspended indefinitely across nine districts.

Some policemen were also injured in the clashes. Following this, the government formed a negotiation committee, and two rounds of talks were held.

As per the agreement, a third round of talks was set for Sunday.

In the meantime, transportation resumed, and detainees were released by the government.

The government formed a four-member negotiation team led by Prem Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the protesters established their own four-member team, headed by Amar Tumyahang.

However, the statements released by both sides at the start of the third round of talks have cast doubt on the success of the upcoming negotiations.

According to Lingkhim, coordinator of the Mukkumalung Joint Struggle Committee, when they proposed forming a new negotiation team, Bhattarai, the head of the government team, asked for a list of participants, saying, “First, give me the names of those who will be in the talks.”

However, the government has replied that they would provide the names only once the committee is officially formed.

“We are in continuous talks with the government, but it has not yet been decided whether the talks will take place tomorrow or not,” said Saru Singhak, a member of the negotiating team.

What is the ‘No Cable Car’ protest in Pathibhara?

The ‘No Cable Car’ protest is a reaction against the construction of a cable car in the sacred Mukkumalung/Pathibhara area, where many local devotees oppose the project on the grounds that it will disrupt the spiritual and environmental integrity of the region.

The protesters’ demand for a new negotiation committee indicates their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the situation.

This protest sends a strong message that local communities are willing to go to great lengths to protect their cultural and religious heritage, even if it means resisting governmental initiatives.

The government’s push to build the cable car, despite the strong opposition from local devotees, appears to be driven by economic considerations, such as promoting tourism and enhancing infrastructure.

However, this rush may overlook the cultural and religious sensitivities of the people in the region, leading to a standoff that threatens both development and community relations.

If the talks fail, the situation could escalate into a more intense movement, possibly leading to civil unrest.

The protesters have already warned of a stronger movement starting on February 10, and any failure to resolve the issue diplomatically could result in prolonged disruptions and a breakdown in relations between the local communities and the government.

Moreover, the failure of talks could have significant implications for the future of development projects in sensitive areas and may encourage other communities to adopt similar resistance strategies.