Ghaziabad: 10-Year-Old Loni Waste Plant Dispute Escalates, 150 People Booked

Ghaziabad: Tensions escalated in Mirpur Hindu village, Loni, Ghaziabad, as farmers protesting against the Solid Waste Management Plant clashed with police, resulting in a baton charge late Sunday night. In the aftermath, 150 people have been booked for allegedly entering the plant premises and staging a sit-in protest. Farmers have vowed to continue their fight until their demands are met.

Farmers’ Allegations

The protesting farmers allege that police forcibly removed men and women who were peacefully sitting inside the plant. Some farmer leaders were taken to the police station, while others were intimidated and threatened. Electricity to the plant was reportedly cut off, and all access roads to the village were blocked. According to the farmers, women were also physically manhandled during the dispersal.

Farmer leaders Chetan Tyagi, Monu Tyagi, and Ravindra Neeraj Gupta warned that if the plant is not removed, the protest could escalate into a mass movement. They stated that officials must personally come to Loni to meet them, instead of summoning them to Ghaziabad. Talks scheduled with municipal authorities earlier on Tuesday were derailed after news of the FIRs against 150 people sparked outrage among the protesters.

Chetan Tyagi of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) said, “We will not tolerate this oppressive approach by the administration. The authorities had promised no construction would take place at the plant, but the work continued.”

A Dispute Nearly a Decade Old

The controversy dates back nearly 10 years. In 2015, plans were initiated to set up a dumping ground and solid waste management plant in Mirpur Hindu village. Despite local opposition, work proceeded with assurances that only waste from Loni would be processed. However, later, waste from Ghaziabad city also started being brought in, causing anger among villagers and farmers. They fear it will affect air quality, damage crops, and create health hazards. The plant is being constructed over an area of 83 hectares.

Support from Farmer Organizations

Apart from BKU, several other farmer groups and political organizations have extended their support to the protesters. Farmer leader Ravindra Singh stated that authorities had promised no construction would take place, but when farmers peacefully entered the plant compound, police attempted to forcibly remove them, escalating the situation. Several women protesters have also been named in FIRs. Farmers emphasize that they will continue to fight to protect their land, air, water, and health until their last breath.