Farmers in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district clashed violently with police over an ethanol plant, breaching its walls, torching vehicles, and injuring a Congress MLA amid fears of water scarcity. (32 words)
Farmers in Tibbi, Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, escalated their 15-month protest against Dune Ethanol Private Limited’s under-construction 40-MW grain-based plant in Rathi Kheda village on Wednesday, demolishing the boundary wall with tractors and setting around 14 vehicles ablaze.
Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia was injured during police lathi-charges and tear gas deployment, joining over a dozen hurt, including policemen; authorities responded with internet shutdowns, school and shop closures, and heavy deployments as protesters gathered at a local gurudwara.
Farmers demand project cancellation over canal water depletion and crop damage risks, while officials call for calm without firm assurances, highlighting tensions between agrarian needs and industrial growth.
Violent Escalation at Factory Site
The confrontation erupted around 4 pm after talks at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office failed. Hundreds of farmers, mobilised by the Ethanol Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, marched to the site, using tractors to ram through barricades and enter the premises.
Police retaliated with tear gas shells and lathi charges to counter stone-pelting crowds, leading to chaos that saw vehicles engulfed in flames. Local Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, who joined the agitation alongside MP Kuldeep Indora and leaders from Haryana and Punjab, sustained injuries in the melee and was rushed to Hanumangarh District Hospital.
Nearly a dozen policemen received treatment at Tibbi Community Health Centre for wounds from stones and the ensuing disorder. Eyewitness accounts describe thick smoke rising from the site as tensions spilled into surrounding areas, underscoring the raw frustration of a community reliant on fragile water resources.
Farmers’ Long-Standing Grievances
For over 15 months, farmers in this canal-dependent belt have opposed the ethanol factory, arguing it poses severe threats to groundwater levels, soil fertility, and crop yields through potential pollution and excessive water draw.
Tibbi’s agriculture thrives on Indira Gandhi Canal water, and locals fear industrial effluents could contaminate it, mirroring concerns in other Rajasthan regions where similar projects have sparked disputes.
The Sangharsh Samiti has led dharnas, marches, and memoranda submissions, but claims authorities dismissed their pleas without site inspections or environmental impact reassessments. Political support has swelled, with opposition figures decrying the project as anti-farmer, while the factory’s proponents highlight job creation and biofuel benefits aligned with national green energy goals.
This backdrop reveals a deeper agrarian crisis, where rapid industrialisation clashes with sustenance farming in arid zones.
Authorities’ Response and Restrictions
In the clash’s aftermath, Hanumangarh administration imposed a sweeping internet blackout across Tibbi and nearby villages, extended into Thursday to curb rumour-mongering via social media. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 banned gatherings, schools remained shuttered, and shops downed shutters amid fears of further unrest.
Heavy police contingents, including Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, monitored key spots like the gurudwara where protesters regrouped peacefully.
Officials, including the district collector, urged restraint and promised to forward grievances to higher authorities, but refrained from halting construction or issuing written guarantees. No arrests were immediately reported, though investigations into vandalism continue.
These measures echo responses in past farmer agitations, prioritising order over immediate resolution, yet drawing criticism for stifling dissent in a democratic setup.
Broader Context of Agrarian Protests
This incident fits a pattern of farmer-industrial conflicts in Rajasthan and neighbouring states, where ethanol and biofuel plants—pushed under India’s renewable energy push-face backlash over resource strain. Similar protests have occurred in Punjab and Haryana, where groundwater depletion already hampers productivity.
Government data touts ethanol blending targets to cut oil imports, but rural voices question enforcement of pollution norms in water-scarce areas.
Political undercurrents are evident, with Congress leaders positioning against the BJP-led state government, potentially amplifying the issue ahead of elections. Environmentalists point to lax clearances, advocating third-party audits.
The Hanumangarh unrest thus spotlights the urgent need for balanced policies that integrate local input, ensuring development does not erode the backbone of India’s food security.
Political Reactions and Stakeholder Views
Congress MLA Poonia, from the neighbouring Taranagar seat, condemned the police action as excessive, vowing to raise the matter in the assembly and demanding the plant’s relocation. Haryana MP Kuldeep Indora echoed calls for empathy towards farmers’ plight, while Punjab leaders extended solidarity.
On the other side, BJP spokespersons labelled the violence unacceptable, defending the project’s legality and environmental compliance certifications. Farmer unions like the Samiti insist on no-compromise stances, threatening escalated blockades if ignored.
Amid this, neutral observers urge mediated talks involving experts on hydrology and sustainability. These divergent perspectives reveal a polarised narrative, where economic aspirations meet existential rural fears.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Development must never come at the cost of displacing communities or ravaging ecosystems; the Tibbi clash exemplifies how neglect of farmers’ valid apprehensions breeds avoidable violence.
True progress demands proactive dialogue, rigorous environmental safeguards, and inclusive decision-making that honours livelihoods alongside innovation.
By fostering empathy, transparency, and coexistence, governments can transform such flashpoints into models of harmonious growth.
