The group opposing the cable car project, which has been advocating for the cancellation of the construction, has accused the police of retaliation. According to the protesters, the police’s actions on February 22 in Birendra Chowk, Phungling Municipality-5, were allegedly a response to the January 25 clash between the police and protesters in Baludanda, Phungling Municipality-10 and 11, in the Pathibhara (Mukumlung) area.
On February 23, the protesters issued a statement accusing the police of seeking revenge. The District Administration Office has clarified that the march organized by the protesters on February 22 in Birendra Chowk was not informed to the district administration, and the necessary permissions for the rally were not obtained. The administration emphasized the need for protests and rallies to be conducted with prior approval from the authorities.
To prevent further escalation of the security situation in the district, the District Administration Office issued an indefinite prohibition order starting from 5 AM on February 23. The curfew will remain in effect until further notice in the Phungling Municipality market area and the Kaflepaati Balu Dada, as stated in the order issued by Chief District Officer Netra Prasad Sharma. The protesters have accused the police of targeting them after they arrived at the district headquarters on February 22, following a peaceful foot march through the Mukumlung area. However, locals have claimed that the protests created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Locals have expressed their opposition to the act of throwing “Pultho” (bundles of fire) at homes under the pretext of protests. They have accused the protesters, many of whom are from outside the district, of attempting to disrupt communal harmony. A “Pultho” thrown at the residence of Deputy Mayor Himadevi Ojha reportedly resulted in injuries to her husband, Rajendra Ojha, and their daughter, Susma Ojha. Additionally, locals have raised concerns over the throwing of “Pultho” near a gas cylinder storage area. During the rally, protesters allegedly hurled fire at the police and targeted houses, because of which locals demanded that the protests remain peaceful and free from intimidation.
Twenty-two Injured in Clash
During the rally in Birendra Chowk on February 22, a clash resulted in 23 injuries. Among the injured, 11 were security personnel, while 12 were from the protesting group. The police arrested 15 individuals on charges of throwing “Pultho” (bundles of fire) at houses during the clash. Out of the injured, five have been admitted to hospital beds, and three have been referred outside the district for further treatment. The police have not provided details of the injured security personnel. A total of 12 individuals from the protesting group were injured in the clash, out of which three have been referred outside the district for further treatment. The injured include Kamal Limbu,50, from Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-5, Sunsari; Keseng Kumar Limbu,40, from Phattanglung Rural Municipality-6, Keshav Khadka,60, from Phungling Municipality-8, Milan Sawa, 25, from Suryodaya Municipality-14, Ilam, Santa Rai,49, from Miklajung Rural Municipality-2, Sanjay Limbu, 36, from Arjundhara Municipality-2, Jhapa; Kopila Chemjong, 26, from Arjundhara Municipality-4, Bhawani Singh Limbu,43, from Meringden Rural Municipality-2, Taplejung, Ram Kumar Rai, 43, from Phakphokthum Rural Municipality-2, Ilam, Asim Palungwa, 53, from Phungling Municipality-4, and Samir Limbu,27, from Phungling Municipality-4. Further details regarding their medical conditions have not been disclosed.
Police arrested 15 Individuals Arrested on Charges of Riotous behavior
On the evening of February 22, the police arrested 15 individuals for the charges of rioting and causing disturbances at Birendra Chowk. The District Police Office stated that the 15 individuals were arrested for their involvement in creating disturbances and engaging in riotous behavior. Among those arrested, only one is from Taplejung. Among the arrested are Nabin Pomu, 45, from Aatharai, Triveni Municipality-1, Panchthar; Eman Rai, 22, from Phidim Municipality-11, Sunita Kerung, 40, of Phidhim Municipality-1, Mitra Lingden, 48, currently living in Arjun Dhara Municipality-11, Jhapa, Yogendra Lawati, 51, residing in Ilam Municipality-7, Nirmala Baral Darnal, 30, currently living in Arjun Dhara Municipality-11, Jhapa, Iksha Limbu, 20, from Birtamod Municipality-2, and Niha Chemjong, 21, from Arjun Dhara Municipality-4, Jhapa. Additionally, the police have arrested Bibek Limbu, 23, from Itahari Sub-Metropolitan Municipality-3, Juran Rai, 19, from the same place, Birbahadur Tamang, 32, from Itahari Sub-Metropolitan Municipality-2, Anup Subba, 32, from Itahari Sub-Metropolitan Municipality-20, and Bishesh Subba, 19, from Itahari Sub-Metropolitan Municipality-10. The police have also arrested 58-year-old Tularam Tamang, of Gramthan Municipality-6, Morang, currently residing in Sundarharaicha Municipality-10, and 39-year-old Hari Limbu, from Urlabari Municipality-1, on charges of causing disturbances. The arrested individuals are currently under investigation by Section 63 of the National Penal Code (2017), which prohibits rioting, and Section 285, which addresses the prohibition of committing criminal mischief. The district police office has stated that the district court has granted a seven-day extension for further investigation into the case.
Demand to Form High-level Discussion Committee
The Province Committee of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) Maoist Center in Biratnagar has demanded the formation of a ministerial-level committee to resolve the ongoing dispute in the Pathibhara Mukumlung area. The CPN (Maoist Centre) Koshi Chairperson, Harka Bahadur Nembang, stated on February 23, calling for the formation of a dialogue committee. The statement highlighted that numerous individuals had been injured in repeated clashes between the protesters opposing the cable car construction and the police. It stressed that the government should solve the issue through discussions and wise moves, and criticized the use of force against protesters as wrong and unacceptable.
