Rajasthan: Over 100 booked, Cong leader among 40 detained in protest over proposed ethanol plant

Jaipur, Dec 11 (PTI) Forty people, including a Congress leader, were detained and over 100 others booked in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district on Thursday, a day after a clash broke out between farmers and police during a protest over the construction of an ethanol factory in the district.

The agitators, who had been protesting at the site for some days, alleged that the proposed ethanol plant would increase pollution in the region.

On Wednesday, the agitating farmers demolished the boundary wall of the under-construction ethanol plant in Rathi Kheda village of the Tibbi area with tractors. They also also allegedly vandalised several vehicles and set some of them on fire.

According to police, about 36 police personnel and homeguards suffered injuries during the violence on Wednesday after which a case has been registered against over 100 people while 40 have been detained.

"Over 100 people have been booked. About three dozen police and homeguards have sustained injuries in Wednesday's violence, which was completely unwanted. Some outside elements incited local people which led to the incident," ADG (Law and Order) VK Singh told reporters.

Meanwhile, Ravjot Singh, leader of the Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, claimed that over 70 people, including women, were injured in the clashes.

Protesters, including injured women, spent the night at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha. They started gathering for a meeting early this morning but were stopped by the police and Congress MLA Rupinder Singh Kooner, who joint the protesters today, was taken into custody.

The protesters later gathered for a meeting at the gurudwara.

The district administration also held a separate meeting with the people leading the protest to reach a conclusion in the matter.

Meanwhile, 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 out of fear.

Violence had erupted on Wednesday when hundreds of farmers stormed the construction site of Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd in the Rathikheda village, breaking down the boundary wall and setting fire to the office and several vehicles.

Clashes broke out soon after the police stopped protesters from taking law in their hands. The police responded with lathicharge and tear gas, triggering further anger among farmers, who torched more than a dozen vehicles, including a police jeep and several private cars. More than 50 people, including women, were injured.

Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia sustained a head injury during the lathicharge and was taken to Hanumangarh district hospital.

Hanumangarh Collector Dr Khushal Yadav on Thursday told reporters that the ethanol plant had obtained all mandatory approvals.

"This factory is a 2022 project cleared during the Rising Rajasthan summit. All required permissions -- from land conversion to the State Pollution Control Board -- have been granted," Yadav said.

He added that while a peaceful mahapanchayat had been permitted, some anti-social elements allegedly marched to the factory in violation of prohibitory orders.

"People took the law into their own hands. Action is being taken against those involved," Yadav said.

Additional personnel of the police, RAC and Home Guard have been deployed in Tibbi and Rathikheda. While shops reopened on Thursday and the situation appeared calm, farmers continued to gather at the gurdwara.

Leaders from the Congress, CPI(M) and several farmer organisations from Haryana and Punjab are in support of the protest.

Earlier in the day, Ravjot Singh claimed, "Over 70 people, including women, were injured in the clashes. More than 100 farmers stayed overnight at the gurdwara, and many more are arriving this morning." Congress leader Shabnam Godara alleged the administration alone was responsible for the violence.

"Farmers only sought a written assurance that construction would be stopped. Instead of addressing the legitimate concerns, the administration provoked them. They misled people by talking only about employment promises," she said, adding that farmers would continue their agitation until their demands were accepted.

Farmer groups said the factory would not be allowed to operate unless it receives environmental clearance and has the consent of local residents.

Meanwhile, Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd, a Chandigarh-registered company, which is setting up a grain-based ethanol plant, has maintained that the project will support the Centre's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme. PTI AG NB NB