An ethanol plant protest in Rajasthan descends into violence, with cars set on fire and the internet cut off.

On Wednesday, a large-scale farmers’ protest against a proposed ethanol facility became violent, causing tension in the Hanumangarh area of Rajasthan. Hundreds of farmers marching in Tibbi town challenged police officers stationed with barriers, setting at least fourteen vehicles on fire, including a JCB machine. congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia was among the more than fifty demonstrators hurt in the incident. Seven demonstrators were arrested as a result of the agitation. In order to stop the situation from getting worse, the administration moved quickly to impose Section 163 and shut down Internet services.

Long-standing opposition to the construction of the ethanol plant at Rathi Kheda hamlet in the Tibbi region is the cause of the protest. For nearly 15 months, local farmers and villagers have been protesting because they believe the factory will harm the environment, deplete fertile soil, and endanger agricultural livelihoods. Anger had been festering even after the authorities cleared the earlier demonstration. When a Mahapanchayat called by farmer groups descended into violence on Wednesday, that rage exploded.

Large hundreds of farmers from Rajasthan, punjab, and Haryana traveled to Tibbi with the support of numerous farmer unions, the Congress, CPM, and CITU. Speakers at the “Mahapanchayat” said that the factory would poison water supplies, produce pollution, and make agricultural land unusable. “If the factory comes up here, our future generations will suffer,” leaders asserted, demanding immediate relocation of the project. Shops in Tibbi and nearby markets remained shut as traders voluntarily supported the call.

Police said that protesters destroyed boundary walls and set fire to cars, including government vehicles, once the group advanced toward the manufacturing site rather than the “Mahapanchayat” ground. To disperse the crowd and reestablish order, police used a moderate lathi-charge. Five police officers had been hurt, according to Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav, who also stated that the situation was “under control.” “Seven individuals have been taken into custody. We are identifying those who have committed vandalism and arson. No one will be allowed to take the law into their hands,” he said.

In defense of the project, District Collector Khushal Yadav emphasized that it had only been authorized after meeting all legal and environmental requirements. According to him, the MoU for the ethanol plant was signed in 2022, and before official clearance, thorough inspections were conducted in 2023. “The project’s goal is to provide prosperity and growth to the area. Every necessary certificate was acquired. A workshop was even held to explain benefits and address concerns, but the farmers rejected it,” the Collector noted. He condemned the vandalism, asserting that concerns must be resolved “on the table, not through violence”. A clash between agitating protestors and police erupted and several people from both sides sustained injuries.

Following widespread arson and vandalism, over thirty families who lived close to the manufacturing site abandoned their houses. However, despite a large police presence, schools, colleges, stores, and marketplaces continued to operate.

Congressmen and farmer organizations have issued a warning that the protests would not stop until their demands are fulfilled. Farmers have been gathering in big numbers to a local gurdwara since Thursday morning. Tibbi and Rathikheda have seen the deployment of over 1,500 police, RAC, and Home Guard forces.