Key Points
- Farmers protesting against Asia’s largest ethanol factory clashed with police in Rathikheda village, Hanumangarh
- Protesters set 16 vehicles ablaze and demolished the factory boundary wall using tractors
- Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code imposed in Tibbi tehsil, internet services suspended
- Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia and 12 police officers injured during the violence
- Two platoons of Border Security Force deployed, area turned into a military zone
- Congress leaders support farmers’ movement, administration appeals for peace
The unrest stems from the construction of what is being touted as Asia’s largest ethanol factory near Rathikheda village in Tibbi tehsil. The Rs 450 crore project has faced sustained opposition from local farmers who claim it will devastate the region’s agricultural ecosystem and cause irreversible environmental damage. The protesters allege that the factory will consume vast quantities of water, depleting groundwater reserves crucial for cotton and wheat cultivation in this arid region. Despite the construction company’s claims of adhering to all environmental standards, farmers remain unconvinced, pointing to inadequate impact assessments and a lack of public consultation.
The agitation intensified after authorities forcibly removed demonstrators from their protest site earlier this month. Following their eviction, the construction company rapidly completed the factory’s boundary wall, which farmers viewed as a provocative act. The administration’s decision to allow construction to proceed while negotiations remained pending further inflamed tensions.
The Violent Confrontation
On Wednesday afternoon, hundreds of farmers gathered outside the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office in Tibbi to protest the factory’s construction. The demonstration remained peaceful until approximately 4 PM, when the crowd, now swelled to nearly a thousand people, began marching toward the factory site. The sudden surge in numbers caught police off guard, creating a volatile situation.
Within minutes, protesters reached the construction site and deployed tractors to systematically demolish the newly-built boundary wall. As the structure crumbled, some farmers set fire to construction vehicles and equipment. Police attempted to disperse the crowd with a lathi charge and tear gas shells, but the overwhelming numbers forced them to retreat. The situation spiralled out of control as protesters targeted police vehicles, setting 16 of them ablaze, including two official jeeps and several motorcycles.
Casualties and Injuries
The violence resulted in multiple injuries on both sides. Sangaria MLA Abhimanyu Poonia, who had joined the farmers to mediate the dispute, suffered injuries during the chaos. Twelve police officers, including two Deputy Superintendents of Police, sustained wounds ranging from minor bruises to serious head injuries. All injured personnel received treatment at the local government hospital, with three officers requiring overnight observation.
Farmers claim that police used excessive force without provocation, while authorities maintain they acted in self-defence after protesters turned violent. The injured MLA has accused the administration of siding with corporate interests and ignoring legitimate farmer concerns.
Security Measures and Curfew
The administration has converted the entire area into a high-security zone. The Superintendent of Police, accompanied by two Deputy Superintendents and personnel from over half a dozen police stations, maintains a constant presence. Two platoons of the Border Security Force have been deployed to prevent further escalation. Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code, which prohibits the assembly of five or more persons, remains in effect throughout Tibbi tehsil.
Internet services remain suspended in Tibbi town and surrounding villages to prevent rumour-mongering and coordinate further protests. All educational institutions and commercial establishments have been ordered to stay closed until further notice. Checkpoints have been established on all major roads leading to the factory site.
Political Reactions and Latest Developments
Congress leaders have openly supported the farmers’ movement, with state party president Govind Singh Dotasra demanding an immediate halt to construction and a judicial inquiry into police action. Local farmer unions have called for a statewide bandh if their demands are not met within 48 hours. The administration, meanwhile, has formed a three-member committee to review the project’s environmental clearances and engage in fresh negotiations with protest leaders.
As of December 11, the situation remains tense but under control. The factory construction has been temporarily suspended, though no formal order has been issued. Farmers continue to stage sit-ins at multiple locations, while the administration appeals for calm and warns of strict action against violence. The Rajasthan government is monitoring the situation closely, with Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma scheduled to visit the region next week to assess the ground reality.
