Anti-Ethanol Plant Protests 12 Arrested in Telangana.
Villagers protest ethanol plant construction in Telangana district. Their opposition stems from deep-rooted concerns about the potential environmental and social impact of the project. Residents fear the plant will lead to significant pollution, contaminating water sources and degrading air quality. Additionally, they worry about the loss of fertile agricultural land, which is vital to their sustenance and economy. Many believe the plant threatens their traditional way of life and livelihoods, especially those dependent on farming. Tensions escalated recently, leading to the arrest of 12 protesters. The community continues to demand the project’s cancellation and greater transparency from officials and developers.
Hyderabad: Tensions Escalate as 12 Arrested in Violent Protest Against Ethanol Plant in Telangana’s Jogulamba Gadwal
In Telangana’s Jogulamba Gadwal district, tensions reached a boiling point as violent protests erupted at the site of a proposed ethanol plant in Pedda Dhanwada village. On Thursday, June 5, police arrested twelve individuals, including several farmers, following a large-scale demonstration that turned aggressive.
The protest, held on Wednesday, saw hundreds of villagers from Pedda Dhanwada and nearby areas gather in opposition to the ethanol plant’s construction. The demonstrators, who have been protesting the project for several months, expressed outrage after company vehicles and materials arrived to initiate construction — an act seen as a betrayal of earlier assurances that the project would be paused.
According to police reports, the protest took a violent turn when demonstrators, armed with sticks and red chilli powder, began pelting stones at police officials. Protesters also reportedly set fire to temporary company shelters and equipment, overturned vehicles, and attacked company staff and law enforcement personnel.
Rajoli Sub-Inspector Jagadeeshwar confirmed the arrest of 12 individuals who have since been remanded to judicial custody. A case has been registered against them for rioting, arson, and assault. Additionally, notices have been issued to five more suspects, and police are actively reviewing video footage from the scene to identify other participants involved in the violence.
“We appeal to the citizens not to violate rules and take the law into their hands,” said SI Jagadeeshwar, urging villagers to maintain peace while assuring that legal steps are being taken.
The unrest stems from long-standing local resistance to the ethanol project. Villagers argue that the plant threatens to pollute air and water sources, destroy agricultural land, and undermine traditional livelihoods. Many fear that the facility could result in irreversible environmental damage and displacement of farming communities.
The company, which received official approval a year ago to build a grain-based ethanol plant, maintains that all necessary permissions have been obtained and that the project complies with environmental regulations. However, their assurances have failed to quell local fears.
Despite ongoing negotiations and public hearings, the villagers remain firm in their opposition, demanding that the plant be permanently shelved. With tensions mounting, authorities are now focusing on maintaining law and order while navigating the growing unrest.