A severe confrontation unfolded on Wednesday in Rathi Khera village, Tibbi area, Hanumangarh, as farmers protesting against the under-construction Dune Ethanol Private Limited factory clashed violently with the police. The situation escalated rapidly when agitated farmers used tractors to demolish the boundary wall of the factory, leading to widespread chaos and destruction.
Escalation to Violence and Arson
Following the breach of the factory premises by farmers, police responded with a lathi-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. In retaliation, protesters hurled bricks and stones, resulting in injuries to approximately a dozen police personnel, who were subsequently taken to the Community Health Center in Tibbi for treatment. Also, farmers vandalized several vehicles and set at least 10. On fire, including one JCB, seven cars, and two motorcycles. Among these, one was a government police vehicle, and some private vehicles reportedly belonged to police personnel. During the violent clash, Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia was also injured in the lathi-charge and has been admitted to the Hanumangarh district hospital.
Background of the Protest and Wednesday's Events
Farmers have been protesting for a considerable period against the construction of a 40-megawatt grain-based ethanol plant in Hanumangarh, citing concerns about increased pollution in the region. They argue that the factory would exacerbate the existing problem of polluted water from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP), while on Wednesday, farmers convened a meeting in front of the SDM office, where they called for a dialogue with the District Collector and demanded an immediate halt to the factory's construction. Farmers sought a written assurance that the factory work would be stopped, but the administration expressed its inability to provide such an order, leading to the failure of the talks. With no resolution by 2 PM, the farmers marched towards the factory at 4 PM with the intent to break down its wall, causing sudden panic and an uncontrollable situation.
Administrative Response and Security Measures
In the aftermath of the incident, the administration promptly suspended internet services in Tibbi town and surrounding villages, and schools and shops were also closed. To manage the volatile situation, approximately 500 police personnel, including half a dozen station house officers, one ASP, and two DSPs, were deployed in Tibbi under the leadership of SP Harishankar. Also, Section 163 has been in effect in the Tibbi area since November 18. Two battalions of the Seema Grih Raksha Dal (Border Home Guard) remain continuously stationed at the factory site to ensure the continuation of construction work, highlighting the tense atmosphere in the region.
The Dune Ethanol Project and Company Details
Dune Ethanol Private Limited, a company registered in Chandigarh in 2020, is constructing what is described as Asia's largest ethanol factory at Chak 4 RK, near Rathi Khera, a few kilometers from Tibbi, Hanumangarh. The project, costing approximately 450 crore rupees, aims to support India's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, while the directors of the company are Jatinder Arora and Robin Jindal. The core of the farmers' protest revolves around the belief that this factory will severely impact the environment, leading to adverse effects on local agriculture and water resources.
Political Support and Leadership Involvement
The farmers' movement has garnered significant support from various opposition parties, including the Congress and CPI(M). The assembly was attended by Sri Ganganagar MP Kuldeep Indora, Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, former Bhadra MLA Balwan Poonia, CPI(M) leader Mangej Chaudhary, and several farmer leaders from Haryana and Punjab, while mP Kuldeep Indora stated that the government isn't understanding the sentiments of the public and affirmed that the Congress stands with the farmers on this issue. He also mentioned his attempts to raise the matter in the Lok. Sabha, though he has not yet been given the opportunity to speak.
Ongoing Negotiations and Future Strategy
Following the failure of talks with the administration, the five-member farmers' committee, comprising Shabnam Godara, Nitin Dhaka, Sukhjeet Chatha, Jagjit Jaggi, and Inderjeet, proceeded to the Gurudwara Sahib, while here, they're formulating the strategy for their future course of action, and arrangements for food have been made for the protesters. Congress leader Shabnam Godara and CPI(M) leader Jagjit Jaggi, along with a large number of people, are still present at the factory site, demanding a written assurance from the administration to halt the factory's construction. Negotiations between the leaders and the administration are ongoing, but the situation remains tense, while farmers are resolute in their demands and are unwilling to back down without a written commitment from the administration.
