Protests in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh against a proposed ethanol plant are gaining momentum, with a ‘mahapanchayat’ held on Wednesday at Dhan Mandi, which was also attended by Rakesh Tikait among other farmer leaders.
Farmers are opposing the construction of an ethanol factory in Rathi Khera area’s Tibbi town by a Chandigarh-based company, and also demanding the cancellation of the MoU for the plant on the grounds that the factory could cause pollution and contaminate groundwater.
“When the farmers of the area do not want the factory to be set up due to serious concerns, the government should hear them and address the demands,” Tikait told reporters.
Wednesday’s Mahapanchayat, which was supported by the local Congress leaders, saw tight security arrangements in wake of a previous protest on December 10 that turned violent after protestors clashed with police and demolished a boundary wall set up at the factory site.
All gates of Dhan Mandi, except the main entrance, were closed, and mobile internet services suspended. Multiple layers of barricades were also erected, with a large number of police personnel conducting patrolling.
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A delegation of farmers also held a meeting with government officials, who assured them that authorities would look into the issue.
The farmers were apprised that a committee has been constituted to look into the concerns and is due to submit its report to the government.
“Based on the report, an appropriate decision would be taken,” an official said.
Later, the mahapanchayat was dispersed, although the farmers said that their agitation would continue till the MoU is cancelled. They are also demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters and action against officials responsible for the clashes in Tibbi on December 10.
Meanwhile, the Department of Forest and Environment also formed a committee to investigate potential groundwater contamination and pollution from the proposed facility.
The committee is headed by the Bikaner Division Commissioner, with the Special Secretary of Forest and Environment being the member secretary and additional members including the Hanumangarh District Collector, senior environmental engineers from the Pollution Control Board and the chief engineer of the Groundwater Department.
The protest against the project intensified in July when the company began constructing a boundary wall. The agitation on December 10 saw a large assembly of farmers in front of the Tibbi SDM office, which slowly swelled to hundreds by evening, with protestors reaching the factory site with tractors and demolishing the boundary wall.
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