Violent protests in Nirmal district force Telangana Govt to reconsider Ethanol plant

Tension escalated when protestors, primarily from villages in Dilawarpur mandal, blocked the Nirmal-Bhainsa national highway for several hours.

Violent protests erupted in Telangana’s Nirmal district as villagers fiercely opposed the construction of an ethanol factory, forcing the state government to intervene and order a halt to the project. The protests, which entered their second day on Wednesday, November 27, were sparked by concerns that the factory would harm the environment and negatively impact local agriculture.

The tension escalated when protestors, primarily from villages in Dilawarpur mandal, blocked the Nirmal-Bhainsa national highway for several hours. Women protestors carried bottles of pesticides, threatening to commit suicide to halt the factory’s construction. The situation turned more volatile as the protestors clashed with police personnel, injuring several officers in the process.

As the unrest grew, some protesters vandalised the vehicle of Nirmal’s Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Ratna Kalyani, who had been attempting to mediate the standoff. During the confrontation, Kalyani collapsed due to a sudden drop in her blood pressure and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital. The situation worsened when unknown individuals set fire to her vehicle, though police quickly extinguished the flames. As a result, authorities filed charges against 23 villagers for their involvement in the violence and vandalism.

The escalating violence prompted District Collector Abhilasha Abhinav to take immediate action, ordering a halt to the construction of the ethanol plant. The Collector appealed to the villagers to cease their protests, promising that the issue would be brought to the attention of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy. In the wake of the violence, the state government also indicated that it would reconsider the approval granted to the private company behind the project, initially given by the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government.

The villagers have voiced concerns that the ethanol factory, located near their farms, would harm their crops and endanger their livelihoods. They have demanded that the factory be relocated away from their villages, citing the potential environmental damage it could cause. Despite the suspension of construction, protestors vowed to continue their agitation until their demands were fully addressed.

The situation remains tense, with ongoing protests and heightened security around the area. The government has assured that a decision will be made to resolve the issue in a manner that ensures the well-being of the local population.

Courtesy: The News Minute

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