Ghaziabad Police File FIR Against 150 Farmers Following Violent Clash at Waste Management Plant
In a significant development in Ghaziabad, authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against 150 farmers, including at least 50 women, after a violent confrontation at a solid waste management plant in Tronica City. The incident, which occurred on February 15, resulted in injuries to two police officers and has escalated tensions over the controversial project.
Details of the Incident and Police Complaint
According to the FIR filed on Monday, the clash erupted when a group of approximately 150 individuals, led by five named accused—Neeraj Tyagi, Monu, Umesh, Ravindra Tyagi, and Chetan—forcibly entered the plant premises around 2 PM. The complaint, submitted by Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (GMC) sanitation and food inspector Sanjeev Kumar, alleges that many in the crowd were armed and incited to break the lock and open the main gate.
When police personnel arrived at the scene to intervene, they were reportedly assaulted with stones, leading to injuries among several officers. The FIR further states that the protesters obstructed government work, staged a sit-in inside the plot, and damaged CCTV cameras installed at the facility.
Legal Charges and Police Statement
Loni Assistant Commissioner of Police Siddharth Gautam confirmed that the FIR includes charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and other laws. The accused face allegations including:
- Rioting and rioting while armed with deadly weapons
- Voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter public servants from duty
- Acts endangering life or personal safety of others
- Assault or criminal force to deter public servants
- Mischief causing damage and house trespass after preparation for hurt
- Violations under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1932
Background of the Waste Management Plant and Farmer Opposition
GMC health officer Mithlesh Kumar provided context about the project, noting that construction began in 2020 and is currently 70% complete. With machinery already installed and finishing work underway, the plant represents an investment of over Rs 18 crore.
However, farmers from multiple villages—including Mirpur Hindu, Pachayra, Badarpur, Nawada, Sungarpur, Allipur, Mandola, Khanpur Japti, and Harampur—have been opposing the plant. Their primary concerns revolve around potential environmental damage and increased disease risks in the area. Protesters have been conducting a sit-in at a Shiv temple in Mirpur Hindu village, arguing that the facility will heighten health hazards for local residents.
The incident highlights ongoing conflicts between development projects and community concerns in urbanizing regions, with this case specifically involving waste management infrastructure and agricultural communities.
