Violence Erupts in Dhar Over Limestone Survey
Villagers stone officials’ vehicles, halt quarry-related drilling work
- Administrative team attacked during limestone survey in Dhar
- Tehsildar’s vehicle, police cars damaged in stone-pelting
- Villagers oppose proposed quarry and cement plant
- Officials withdraw; opposition slams move
GG News Bureau
Dhar, 19th Feb: Tension gripped a village in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district after villagers allegedly attacked an administrative team that had arrived to conduct drilling and survey work for a proposed limestone quarry and cement plant project.
According to officials, the administration, accompanied by police personnel from nine police stations, had reached the village to carry out sampling and survey work. As drilling machinery was stationed in agricultural fields, a large number of villagers, including women, gathered and began protesting.
Videos circulating on social media showed an angry mob pelting stones at government vehicles and attempting to overturn the tehsildar’s car. Several police and administrative vehicles were damaged in the incident.
Protesters reportedly blocked roads, sat in front of the convoy, and refused to allow the survey to proceed. Despite heavy police deployment, the situation escalated quickly. Fearing further violence, officials withdrew from the village without completing the survey.
Villagers have been opposing the proposed limestone mining and cement factory project for months. They argue that the project could damage fertile agricultural land, impact groundwater resources, and lead to displacement in the Kukshi, Bagh, and Jobat areas. Residents claim earlier attempts at drilling were also met with protests and road blockades.
They further alleged that during previous demonstrations, Collector Priyanka Mishra had assured them that no work would proceed without the consent of public representatives and villagers. Protesters claim the current survey violated that assurance.
Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramod Gurjar said the sampling work was being conducted as per rules and that objections could be submitted in writing. He stated that peace has been restored in the area and concerns would be addressed at the appropriate level.
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticised the administration on social media, stating that the rights of tribals over water, forest, and land would be defended from the streets to the Assembly.
