Bihar: Farmers' Protest In Buxar Turns Violent Following Police Raid At Midnight

NEW DELHI: In Buxar's Chousa neighbourhood, the farmers asserted that they had been peacefully demonstrating against the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) power plant firm over a new rate of land acquisition for the project at rates determined 12 years ago when the plots were purchased. At a cost of 11,000 crores, work on a 1320 MW coal power plant started in 2021.

The police and the power plant were both stoned by the farmers. They were armed with sticks and rods, damaged police cars, and set a car on fire. At the SJVN plant's main gate, they also set fire to tyres and obstructed the road. After firing in the air, the police attempted to manage the situation, but the farmers continued to demonstrate. According to reports, four police officers were hurt during a brick-throwing attack when a sizable police presence was present.

The 85 days prior, the farmers had held demonstrations in this location. They demonstrated on Tuesday in front of the plant's main gate, which was bolted, asking that the state-run power utility pay the current value or price for the agricultural land it was acquiring.

Around 11.45 p.m. on Tuesday, a large contingent of police officers arrived in the Banarpur village, which is part of the Muffasil police station area, and allegedly forced entry into the homes of some farmers who were sleeping with their families and beat them with batons and boots.

Narendra Tiwary, who was in charge of the protest, was one of the four people the police apprehended. In addition, it is claimed that they verbally and physically abused the women. An incident involving the police was videotaped and quickly went viral online.

On March 9, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi placed the plant's foundation stone. The Himachal Pradesh government and the Centre have partnered with SJVN to build a power plant that will generate 9,828 million electricity units. In Bihar, 85% of the power will be supplied and 75% of the work is reportedly finished.

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