Protest erupts against biogas plant in Jind’s residential area; 10-day ultimatum to shut plant

Jind: A protest erupted on Friday against a biogas plant set up in a residential area near the new bus stand on Gohana Road in Jind district. Declaring the plant "highly dangerous" for the city residents, thousands of people raised their voices, demanding its immediate closure.Local residents from nearby colonies and villages staged a sit-in protest near the plant. Various khaps, farmer unions, organisations and political parties, including Congress, CPI(M), CITU and Janata Sarkar Morcha extended support to the protesters, who, while recalling the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, warned the govt to act swiftly.The protest, led by Kandela Khap chief Omprakash Kandela, issued a 10-day ultimatum to the govt, warning a large-scale indefinite ‘andolan' (movement) if the plant is not shut down.The three-hour-long demonstration saw participation from several leaders, including Naveen Jaihind, Congress district president, and Haibatpur sarpanch Rishipal Sihag, CITU leader Comrade Ramesh Chandra and others. A significant number of women also participated, raising slogans like ‘Shut the Biogas Plant', ‘Save Jind'.During the protest, Jind sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Satyawan Mann arrived at the site, where memorandums addressed to the President, Prime Minister, Union environment minister and Haryana chief minister were submitted. A separate memorandum was also sent to the company chairperson through the plant manager, demanding immediate closure.The protesters criticised the authorities for allowing the plant in a residential area and demanded compensation for damages caused to nearby houses, as well as action against officials who approved the project. Heavy police deployment was seen at the plant gate due to rising tensions.Omprakash Kandela, Kandela khap head, said every village under the khap is ready to join the movement if the plant is not shut down.Meanwhile the plant manager claimed that the plant would not cause any harm, as it produces gas from crop residue. However, he expressed willingness to hold discussions with a committee of protesters to address their concerns. MSID:: 130001080 413 |