Farmers in Rajasthan's Hanumangarh district have issued a stern 20-day ultimatum to the district administration, demanding action against a proposed ethanol factory. They have warned that failure to meet their demands will result in a massive mahapanchayat in Sangaria on January 7.
Mahapanchayat Sets Stage for Confrontation
The ultimatum was declared following a large gathering at the Dhan Mandi in Hanumangarh Junction on Wednesday. Hundreds of farmers assembled to voice their strong opposition to a 40 MW grain-based ethanol plant planned for Rathi Kheda village in Tibbi tehsil. They argue the project poses severe threats to local agriculture, precious groundwater resources, and community livelihoods.
Prominent farmer leaders Rakesh Tikait, Gurnam Singh Chaduni, and Joginder Singh Ugrahan addressed the crowd, amplifying concerns over the plant's environmental and socio-economic impact. The district administration, anticipating a large turnout, had deployed over 1,400 police personnel across the junction, drawing forces from across the Bikaner division.
Talks and Key Demands
During the gathering, officials invited farmer leaders for discussions. A 15-member delegation subsequently met with senior police and administrative officials at the district collectorate. The farmers presented clear demands: cancellation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed for the ethanol plant and the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters on December 10 and 11.
A member of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti stated that District Collector Khushal Yadav informed them a letter regarding their demands had been forwarded to Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Bhaskar A Sawant. Key outcomes from the talks included a decision to hand over investigations into the protest-related cases to the CID-CB, with an assurance that no arrests would be made until higher authorities decide on the matter.
Furthermore, the administration assured farmers that a committee formed to assess pollution issues linked to the plant would submit its report within 15 days.
Background of the Agitation
The conflict has deep roots. Farmers began a peaceful protest against the project in September 2024, which continued for nearly ten months. Tensions flared in July this year when the private company, registered in Chandigarh, began constructing a boundary wall at the site.
The situation escalated dramatically on November 19 when construction resumed under police protection, leading to the arrest of over 12 farmer leaders. In the following days, 67 people courted arrest. The confrontation peaked on December 10, when hundreds of farmers on tractors marched to the site, clashed with police, and demolished the boundary wall.
Firm Resolve and Future Steps
Despite the talks, farmer leaders remain unwavering. They have vowed to continue their agitation until the proposed plant is completely dismantled. A Samiti member emphasized that if their demands are not met within the deadline, they will convene a second, larger mahapanchayat in Sangaria on January 7 with renewed strength.
A senior official noted that after the talks and the peaceful conclusion of Wednesday's mahapanchayat, the committee had acknowledged the farmers' concerns and the situation was under control. The project, promoted as supporting the central government's Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme, remains a flashpoint between development promises and grassroots fears over ecological and economic survival.
