Pithampur on Edge: Protestors clash with police over toxic waste disposal

K K Jha

Indore/Pithampur: The industrial town of Pithampur, home to over thousands of big and small industries witnessed heightened unrest on Friday as protests against the incineration of toxic Union Carbide waste escalated dramatically. In a shocking turn of events, two young men, Raju Patel and Rajkumar Raghuvanshi, aged between 25 and 27, attempted self-immolation during the demonstration. They poured petrol over themselves but were promptly rescued by police and rushed to the community health center for treatment.
The roots of the agitation lie in the government’s controversial decision to dispose of nearly 350 metric tons of toxic waste from the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy at the Pithampur incineration site, operated by Ramky Enviro Industries. The waste, stored for decades at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, has long been a subject of legal battles and public outcry. While the government claims the Pithampur facility meets all safety and environmental standards for incinerating hazardous waste, locals and activists argue that the site is ill-equipped to handle such highly toxic material. They fear potential air, soil, and groundwater contamination, posing severe risks to the health of the surrounding population and the region’s ecosystem.
The controversy deepened when the incineration process began without adequately addressing the concerns of local residents or consulting with environmental experts. This lack of transparency has further fueled public anger, leading to the current wave of protests.
On Friday, the protests gained momentum, with people from various communities, including students, tribals, and Sailana MLA Kamleshwar Dodiyar, joining the agitation. Demonstrators staged a dharna at the bus stand area, blocking traffic for over 30 minutes. Authorities diverted vehicles via Power House Square and Mahindra Bridge to ease congestion.
The self-immolation attempt further inflamed tensions. Protestors intensified their sloganeering against the ruling government, demanding immediate cessation of the incineration process. Police reinforced security at the site, confining demonstrators to a designated area to maintain order. However, the district administration faced sharp criticism for its inaction. SDM Pramod Kumar Gurjar arrived at the protest site but made no visible attempts to engage with or pacify the protestors.
Adding to the dissent, members of the Pithampur Bachao Samiti, recently returned from Delhi after meeting with central authorities, have joined the agitation. Farmer Sandeep Raghuvanshi continues his hunger strike, vowing to persist until the toxic waste is removed.
The situation took a volatile turn when protestors, angered by the lack of response from authorities, attempted to march toward the Ramky Enviro Industries incineration site. Police deployed barricades and reinforcements to prevent them from reaching the facility, where the toxic waste disposal process is already underway.
As public anger continues to mount, the government’s decision to dispose of the Union Carbide waste in Pithampur is under intense scrutiny. Environmentalists, political leaders, and local residents are calling for a re-evaluation of the incineration process, demanding safer alternatives and greater accountability. The situation remains tense, with no resolution in sight.