The National Human Rights Commission has requested to resolve the dispute regarding the construction of a cable car in the Fungling Municipality-11 Pathibhara area of Taplejung through negotiation and dialogue.
Commission spokesperson Dr. Tikaram Pokharel made this request in a press release issued on Sunday, requesting the protesting parties to make the demonstration peaceful. "It is necessary to identify and address these types of disagreements and disputes that may arise during development, and to adopt a human rights-oriented approach to development," the statement said, "to arrange free and effective medical treatment for injured people during the clashes, to resolve disputes and disagreements with each other in a meaningful way." And the Commission urges the concerned parties including the Government of Nepal to solve it through dialogue.
During the dispute on January 12 regarding the construction of a cable car in the Fungling-11 Pathibhara area of Taplejung, a clash between security personnel and local protesters resulted in injuries on both sides of the protestors and security personnel. According to the commission, the Koshi provincial office of the commission is monitoring the incident and previously the commission had conducted on-site monitoring from 2nd to 8th of November 2081 and suggested to proceed with the construction work only after negotiation and agreement. The
commission has stated that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure the protection and enhancement of the economic, social, cultural and environmental rights of citizens along with the right to development. The local tribal community submitted a memorandum to the Commission with demands such as the Pathibhara area being the center of cultural and spiritual beliefs of the local Limbu/Yakthung community, its historical name should be retained as Mukkumlung, the cable car construction work should be stopped, and free and informed consent should be obtained from the tribal community with advance information during the construction work.
