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Farmers began gathering at a gurudwara near the protest site in Tibbi early in the morning, while internet services remained suspended in the area for the second consecutive day. Around 30 families living near the factory site have reportedly left their homes due to fear.
Violence had erupted on Wednesday (December 9) when hundreds of farmers stormed the construction site of Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd in Rathikheda village, broke the boundary wall and set fire to the office and several vehicles.
Clashes broke out soon after police stopped protesters from taking law into their own hands. Police responded with lathicharge and tear gas, further angering the farmers, who set fire to more than a dozen vehicles, including a police jeep and several private cars. More than 50 people including women were injured.
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During the lathicharge, Congress MLA Abhimanyu Punia suffered head injuries and was taken to Hanumangarh District Hospital. Schools, colleges and local markets remained closed on Wednesday (December 9) amid the unrest.
Hanumangarh Collector Dr Khushal Yadav told reporters on Thursday (December 10) that the ethanol plant has obtained all the mandatory approvals. Yadav said, “This factory is a 2022 project which was approved during the Rising Rajasthan summit. All necessary permissions including land conversion have been given to the State Pollution Control Board.”
He said while a peaceful mahapanchayat was allowed, some anti-social elements allegedly violated prohibitory orders and marched to the factory. “People took the law into their own hands. Action is being taken against those involved,” he said.
Additional police, RAC and Home Guard personnel have been deployed in Tibbi and Rathikheda. While shops reopened on Thursday (December 10) and the situation appeared calm, farmers continued to gather at the gurudwara.
A meeting of farmers is scheduled in the afternoon to decide the future strategy. The protesters, including injured women, spent the night at Gurdwara Singh Sabha.
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Leaders of Congress, CPI(M) and several farmer organizations from Haryana and Punjab are in support of the protest.
Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti leader Ravjot Singh claimed, “More than 70 people, including women, were injured in the clash. More than 100 farmers stayed at the gurudwara overnight, and many more are coming this morning.” Congress leader Shabnam Godara alleged that the administration was responsible for the violence.
“The farmers had only asked for a written assurance that construction would be stopped. Instead of addressing legitimate concerns, the administration instigated them. They misled people by only talking about promises of employment,” he said. He said that the farmers will continue their agitation until their demands are accepted.
Farmer groups said the factory will not be allowed to operate unless it gets environmental clearance and consent from local residents.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh-registered company Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd, which is setting up a grain-based ethanol plant, has said the project will support the Centre’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.
Talks between farmer groups and the administration are expected to begin today.
