A dispute over the construction of a cable car to the revered Pathibhara pilgrimage site in Taplejung district led to a violent clash on Friday afternoon. At least three individuals, including residents Chandra Maden, Damodar Adhikari, and Kumar Limbu, sustained injuries from stone-pelting and were subsequently transported to the District Hospital Taplejung for medical treatment.
Armed Police Inspector Digendra Oli also suffered minor injuries during the incident.
The clash erupted during a foundation-laying ceremony for a cable car station at Kafle Pati in Talloo Phedi. CPN-UML district president Dumbardhwaj Tumbahamfe and Phungling municipality mayor Amir Maden were among those present at the event.
However, a group opposed to the cable car project began hurling stones at the gathering, disrupting the ceremony. Mayor Maden expressed concern over the violence, stating that the attackers were positioned at a higher vantage point, which made it difficult for the authorities to intervene.
Despite the incident, the foundation stone for the cable car was laid using heavy machinery. As of now, the situation has been brought under control, but tensions remain high between the opposing groups.
