Farmers protesting the construction of an ethanol factory in Tibbi, Hanumangarh district in Rajasthan clashed with the police on Wednesday, leaving several people injured. The protest erupted after a Mahapanchayat held near the site, where farmers gathered to discuss their opposition to the factory, escalated into a march towards the under-construction plant. Police resorted to lathicharge and teargas to disperse the crowd, which turned violent after entering the factory premises.
The protesters vandalised construction materials, damaged factory walls, and set fire to around ten vehicles. Three bulldozers on the site were also destroyed. Muhammad Abhimanyu Poonia, Congress MLA from Sangaria and State Youth Congress president, was among the injured and was taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial District Hospital in Hanumangarh after receiving initial treatment at the site. A dozen police personnel, including DSP Karan Singh Barad, were also hurt in the clashes, with the DSP sustaining serious injuries requiring stitches.
The Mahapanchayat was organised against the Rs 450-crore ethanol plant being set up by a private company in Rathikhera village panchayat. Farmers have opposed the project for over a year, arguing that it will cause air and water pollution and render agricultural land barren, threatening their livelihoods. Sriganganagar MP Kuldeep Indora, former Bhadra MLA Balwan Poonia, CPI(M) leader Mangej Choudhary, and leaders from farmers’ groups in Hanumangarh, Sriganganagar, and neighbouring Punjab attended the gathering.
Authorities had deployed 700 police personnel and several magistrates to control the situation. Internet services in the area have been suspended and Section 163 has been in force since November 18. After the clashes, local markets were closed. Farmers have announced they will decide their next course of action regarding the factory tomorrow.
Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condemned the police action, saying on social media, “The Congress will continue to raise the farmers’ voice fearlessly,” and questioned why the BJP government showed “hatred towards farmers.” Officials from the Collectorate and Superintendent of Police visited the site, and Divisional Commissioner and IG Bikaner were reported to arrive later to assess the situation.
