A clash broke out between police and farmers in Hanumangarh Wednesday after the latter demolished the boundary wall of an under-construction ethanol plant with tractors, officials said.
The incident took place in Rathi Kheda village of the Tibbi area, where the farmers also allegedly vandalised several vehicles and set several of them on fire. Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd as well as used sticks on them.
Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, who was at the post in support of the agitating farmers, was hospitalised after being injured. Several political leaders — including MP Kuldeep Indora, former MLA Balwan Poonia, CPI(M) leader Mangej Chaudhary, and farm leaders from Haryana and Punjab — were present at the protest site.
Following this, authorities suspended Internet services in Tibbi town and nearby villages, as well as schools and shops were ordered to shut as a precautionary measure, officials said.
According to the protesting villagers, the proposed ethanol plant — Dune Ethanol Private Limited plant, worth around Rs 450 crore and located in Chak 4 RK near Rathi Kheda — once operational, would increase pollution in the region.
Earlier in the day, the agitating farmers had gathered outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office. They demanded the administration should “immediately stop the construction of the ethanol factory”, and urged the District Collector to provide a written assurance by 2 pm Wednesday. When the officials concerned refused, hundreds of farmers marched towards the said factory around 4 pm and used tractors to take down a portion of the boundary wall; they then entered the factory premises. The farmers allegedly also removed the police barricades, torched at least 10 (including three police vehicles) parked near the site, and vandalised an excavator inside the plant. The clash left around a dozen personnel injured.
The farmers had been protesting at the site for several days but were recently removed, after which the boundary wall was built. On Wednesday, security forces were deployed in the area to maintain law and order, officials said.
Story continues below this ad
Criticising the state government for “neglecting” public concerns, MP Indora said, “The ethanol factory would increase pollution in the region, which is already battling contaminated water through the Indira Gandhi Canal project… The Congress stands with the farmers.” The MP further asserted that he has been trying to raise this issue in the Lok Sabha, but failed to do so as he has not been given a chance to speak during the sessions.
Following the clash, the administration Wednesday also imposed Section 163 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) across Tibbi, where it is already in effect since November 18, due to ongoing farmer protests. Nearly 500 police personnel had been deployed, with two battalions of the Border Home Guard stationed at the site.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully, and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot condemned the police action.
“Why does the BJP government hate farmers so much? Congress will continue to raise their voice,” Gehlot posted on X.
Story continues below this ad
Calling the police action “unfortunate and unacceptable”, Jully said MLA Poonia was fighting for farmers’ rights. “This has exposed the anti-farmer face of the government.”
“We will continue to stand with farmers in their fight for justice,” Pilot said.
-With PTI inputs
