Tension simmers in Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh over under-construction ethanol factory

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Tension simmered successful Rajasthan's Hanumangarh territory connected Thursday (December 11, 2025) arsenic farmers and Opposition leaders warned that protests against an under-construction ethanol mill would proceed until their demands are met, section leaders said.

Farmers began gathering astatine a gurdwara adjacent the protestation tract successful Tibbi from aboriginal morning, adjacent arsenic net services remained suspended successful the country for the 2nd consecutive day. Around 30 families surviving adjacent the mill tract person reportedly near their homes retired of fear.

Violence had erupted connected Wednesday (December 10, 2025) erstwhile hundreds of farmers stormed the operation tract of Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd successful the Rathikheda village, breaking down the bound partition and mounting occurrence to the bureau and respective vehicles.

Clashes broke retired soon aft the constabulary stopped protesters from taking instrumentality successful their hands. The constabulary responded with lathicharge and teardrop gas, triggering further choler among farmers, who torched much than a twelve vehicles, including a constabulary jeep and respective backstage cars. More than 50 people, including women, were injured.

Congress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia sustained a caput wounded during the lathicharge and was taken to Hanumangarh territory hospital. Schools, colleges and section markets remained unopen connected Wednesday (December 10, 2025) amid the unrest.

Hanumangarh Collector Dr. Khushal Yadav connected Thursday (December 11. 2025) told reporters that the ethanol works had obtained each mandatory approvals. "This mill is simply a 2022 task cleared during the Rising Rajasthan summit. All required permissions — from onshore conversion to the State Pollution Control Board — person been granted," Mr. Yadav said.

Mr. Yadav added that portion a peaceful mahapanchayat had been permitted, immoderate anti-social elements allegedly marched to the mill successful usurpation of prohibitory orders. "People took the instrumentality into their ain hands. Action is being taken against those involved," helium said.

Additional unit of the police, Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) and Home Guard person been deployed successful Tibbi and Rathikheda. While shops reopened connected Thursday (December 11, 2025) and the concern appeared calm, farmers continued to stitchery astatine the gurdwara.

A farmers' gathering is scheduled astatine noon to determine the adjacent people of action. Protesters, including injured women, spent the nighttime astatine the Gurdwara Singh Sabha.

Leaders from the Congress, CPI(M) and respective husbandman organisations from Haryana and Punjab are successful enactment of the protest.

Ravjot Singh, person of the Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti, claimed, "Over 70 people, including women, were injured successful the clashes. More than 100 farmers stayed overnight astatine the gurdwara, and galore much are arriving this morning." Congress person Shabnam Godara alleged the medication unsocial was liable for the violence.

"Farmers lone sought a written assurance that operation would beryllium stopped. Instead of addressing the morganatic concerns, the medication provoked them. They misled radical by talking lone astir employment promises," Ms. Godara said, adding that farmers would proceed their agitation until their demands were accepted.

Farmer groups said the mill would not beryllium allowed to run unless it receives biology clearance and has the consent of section residents.

Meanwhile, Dune Ethanol Pvt Ltd, a Chandigarh-registered company, which is mounting up a grain-based ethanol plant, has maintained that the task volition enactment the Centre's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme.

Talks betwixt husbandman groups and the medication are expected to statesman aboriginal successful the day.

Published - December 11, 2025 12:14 p.m. IST

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