Rajasthan Protest Update: Farmers Stick to Demands as Tibbi Tension Remains High After Violent Ethanol Plant Clash

Rajasthan’s Hanumangarh district, particularly the Tibbi area, remains tense a day after a violent escalation in the 15-month-long farmers’ protest against the upcoming ethanol plant. Despite repeated appeals by the administration, farmers continue to demand a written agreement ensuring a halt in construction. To prevent misinformation and maintain order, internet services remain suspended in the region. Visuals from yesterday’s clashes reveal the intensity of the unrest. Several vehicles were torched, factory walls were demolished, and protesters stormed the construction site. Police were forced to use lathicharge and deploy additional forces as the situation spiraled out of control. The confrontation erupted during a mahapanchayat called under the banner of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which saw a gathering of nearly 5,000 farmers. Farmers argue that the ethanol plant—touted as one of Asia’s largest—will lead to severe pollution in nearby villages, threatening farmland, groundwater, and overall health. The administration initially assured that construction would be paused, but tensions grew as the crowd surged and communication between both sides broke down. Today, the atmosphere in Tibbi is calmer but still sensitive. Farmers remain steadfast on their demand for a formal written assurance, while heavy police deployment continues as authorities attempt to restore stability.