Rajasthan: Farmers in Hanumangarh set 16 vehicles on fire, lathicharge and tear gas created panic

Jaipur. Hundreds of farmers protesting against a grain-based ethanol factory clashed with the police in Rathikheda village of Hanumangarh on Wednesday evening. Angry farmers took out a tractor march and broke the boundary wall of the under-construction Dune Ethanol Private Limited factory. Police responded with lathicharge and tear gas shells. The commotion escalated to the point where the farmers vandalized and set fire to approximately 16 police and administrative vehicles. Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, who was present at the scene, was also injured in the lathicharge and has been admitted to the Hanumangarh District Hospital. Several police and administrative officials were also injured.

What is the whole matter?
Dune Ethanol Private Limited, a Chandigarh-registered company, is setting up a 40-megawatt grain-based ethanol plant in Rathikheda. The company claims that this plant will support the central government’s Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program. However, surprisingly, the company’s Environmental Clearance (EC) application is still pending since 2022. Farmers in the area have been protesting for a long time due to the ongoing construction work without environmental clearance. On Wednesday afternoon, farmers held a large gathering in front of the Tibbi SDM office. Around 4 p.m., hundreds of farmers marched towards the factory site with tractors. Within minutes, the wall was broken, and clashes with the police began.

Sriganganagar Congress District President Kunnar will march to Rathikheda
Following the incident, Sriganganagar District Congress President and Karanpur MLA Rupinder Singh Kunnar has announced that thousands of workers will march to Rathikheda. Kunnar said that Congress will fight for farmers’ rights with full force, whether on the streets or in the Assembly. He appealed to everyone to reach Rathikheda in large numbers.

Administration Alert, Internet Shutdown
Following the unrest, internet service has been completely suspended in Tibbi town and surrounding villages. Section 144 is imposed in the area. All schools, colleges, and shops are closed. A heavy police force has been deployed. Farmer organizations say they will not allow the factory to be built until the company receives environmental clearance and the consent of local residents. Meanwhile, company directors Jatinder Arora and Robin Jindal have not issued any statement. Tension currently prevails in the area.

Who Said What?
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot strongly condemned the police’s use of force, questioning why the BJP government harbors such hatred towards farmers. He emphasized that he strongly condemns the police’s use of force during the farmers’ protest in Tibbi, Hanumangarh.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot wished injured MLA Abhimanyu Poonia a speedy recovery and said that we will continue to support farmers in their fight for rights and justice.

Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal accused the BJP government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal, of suppressing the protest with force. He said the government was acting under corporate pressure and shirking its responsibility to strike a balance between development and the environment.

Injured MLA Abhimanyu Poonia sent a message from the hospital stating that he was safe and called the incident a “conspiratorial attack” against farmers’ rights. He said that threats would not stop their peaceful fight.