Violence erupts over proposed Nuclear plant in Rajasthan

UDAIPUR: Tension prevailed in Banswara district after residents of Chhoti Sarwan village clashed with police on Friday over the construction of a boundary wall for the proposed Mahi Nuclear Power Plant. PM Narendra Modi is expected to lay the foundation stone of the 2,800 MW plant soon.

The altercation, which lasted about three hours, left three police personnel and several villagers injured. Twelve people, including a local functionary of the Bharat Adivasi Party, have been detained. The residents, who were protesting their relocation, hurled stones at police, who were there to evacuate the govt-acquired land and facilitate the building of the boundary wall by the Nuclear Power Corporation of In dia Ltd (NPCIL).

About 3,000 people from six villages — Bari, Sajwania, Rail, Kharia Dev, Aadibhit and Katumbi — are being relocated. Some protesters retreated to a nearby hill and continued hurling stones. In response, police fired tear gas shells and dispersed a group of women obstructing National Highway 927-A.

Banswara SP Harshvardhan Agarwala said teargas shells were fired to control the situation at the site of the Central govt project in Chhoti Sarwan. A Quick Response Team (QRT) jawan, Kalpesh Garasiya, sustained a head injury and was admitted to a hospital in Banswara.

Locals unwilling to relocate until their demands fulfilled
“Some people, whose land has been acquired for the proposed plant, are protesting even though they have been allotted alternative plots,” Agarwala said.

The govt has provided a compensation of Rs 415 crore to acquire 553 hectares of land for the project. A 60-hectare plot of land has also been identified in nearby Kharia Dev to construct houses for the displaced villagers.
The local populace, however, has been unwilling to relocate until their demands, including the establishment of ahospital, are met.

In July, thousands of tribal people had assembled at Mangarh Dham in Banswara to raise their concerns and demand scrapping of the proposed nuclear power plant. The villagers had also boycotted the Lok Sabha elections over their demands.

Explore the yearly horoscope 2025 for Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes, messages and quotes.