Protest Over Ethanol Factory Proposed In Rajoli

Tension prevailed in Rajoli mandal of Jogulamba Gadwal district as residents from 12 villages launched a protest today against the proposed ethanol factory in Pedda Dhanwada village.

Leaders of various public associations extended their support to the agitation.

In anticipation of unrest, police deployed heavy security from early in the morning and restricted access to the factory site.

Several protestors were also placed under house arrest. That triggered public outrage, with villagers questioning the legality of detaining individuals who were protesting peacefully. Many villagers reached the proposed factory site despite the restrictions and raised slogans against the ethanol company.

In a violent escalation, a container set up for the factory was set ablaze and several vehicles were vandalized. Police rushed to the scene and attempted to disperse the protestors.

For context, many political leaders have long been raising awareness about the potential environmental and health hazards of the ethanol factory. Citing the negative impacts of an existing ethanol unit in Chittanur, Mahabubnagar district, villagers have been protesting for several days against setting up another such facility in Pedda Dhanwada.