Hyderabad: Hundreds of villagers protested against an ethanol company and prevented the entry of its container in Chittanoor of Marikal mandal, Narayanpet district on Sunday.
Despite police presence, the mob turned violent, pelting stones and attacking police personnel, seven of whom, including a CI, a sub inspector, and three women constables, suffered injuries, Narayanpet police said. The protestors also set a police vehicle on fire.
The incident occurred at 12.30 pm in Chittanoor village after 600 villagers staged a dharna a day after stopping a tanker from proceeding into the village, Narayanpet inspector Ravi Babu said.
The protesters alleged that the tanker was carrying pollutants discharged by the ethanol plant, which is located near their village, and was dumping waste in their area and polluting it. Despite the company representatives explaining to the protesters that they were carrying ethanol and not dumping any waste, the protesters demanded that the container be opened, which the company officials refused, Ravi Babu said.
The district authorities had assured the villagers that a team of officials would look into the matter and deal accordingly. Even as revenue and police officials were negotiating with the protesters, the latter attacked police men with lathis, in which Makthal CI Ram Lal, and SI Vijay Bhaskar suffered bleeding injuries while five constables were hurt, Ravi Babu said.
Additional forces from the neighbouring police stations were pressed into action and the situation was brought under control.
“We have arrested 50 protesters while persons who had instigated the mob are at large,” Ravi said.
Cases of attacking a police officer on duty, attempt to murder, unlawful assembly and rioting under section 353, 307, 147 read with 149 of IPC have been registered against the accused, the inspector said.
The villagers of Chittanoor, who are on protest for the past few months against the ethanol factory, had earlier opposed construction of the plant.Villagers oppose polluting ethanol factory
