Villagers Protest Ethanol Factory, Block Highway
An ethanol factory in Nirmal district has sparked massive protests among villagers, who fear the damage it could cause to their lush green fields. For over a year, residents of Dilawarpur and Gundampelli villages have been raising their voices against the proposed factory, which they claim will pollute their fertile land. Despite their repeated appeals to local leaders and the government, no action was taken, pushing the villagers to intensify their agitation in recent days.
On Tuesday, the protests escalated as villagers blocked the Bhainsa-Nirmal national highway, bringing traffic to a standstill. Vehicles were diverted, but the protesters, including farmers and women, remained firm in their demands. They cooked and ate meals on the highway, refusing to budge despite efforts by officials to pacify them. Nirmal RDO Ratna Kalyani faced strong opposition when she attempted to engage with the protesters, and at one point, her vehicle was attacked.
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Ethanol Factory Sparks Year-Long Protest
The villagers of Dilawarpur and Gundampelli have been opposing the construction of the ethanol factory for over a year. They have staged demonstrations, submitted petitions, and even protested in front of the district collector’s office. However, the lack of satisfactory responses from authorities has only fueled their frustration. Although district officials arranged a meeting with the farmers, it failed to resolve the issue. As tensions rose, District Collector Abhilasha Abhinav informed the state government about the situation.
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Clashes and Arrests in Dilawarpur
On Wednesday, the situation in Dilawarpur turned tense as protests grew more intense. A heated exchange took place between villagers and police, prompting the deployment of additional police personnel under the leadership of District SP Janaki Sharmila. Protesters gathered outside the Dilawarpur police station, demanding the release of those detained during the agitation. Women joined the protests, carrying pesticide cans as a symbol of their distress.
The police arrested several youths early Wednesday morning, leading to further clashes. Angry villagers reportedly threw stones at police vehicles in an attempt to stop the arrests. In response, the police transported the detained individuals to various police stations in Sone, Nirmal, and other nearby areas.
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Collector Halts Factory Work
In an effort to address the escalating crisis, District Collector Abhilasha Abhinav held discussions with the villagers and reported the matter to the Chief Minister. Following the talks, the Collector issued orders to halt construction work on the ethanol factory temporarily. This decision provided some relief to the protesters, but their demand for a permanent solution remains.
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Government Reconsiders Factory Approval
The state government has finally responded to the ethanol factory controversy. Officials are now reevaluating the permission granted by the previous administration for the factory’s construction. The government acknowledged the villagers’ concerns about potential harm to their crops and the environment and expressed its intent to take an immediate decision on the matter. However, it remains to be seen whether the government will side with the villagers or proceed with the project.
For now, the villagers remain firm in their stance, vowing to continue their protests until their demands are fully met.
