Dhar Villagers Halt Quarry Survey With Stone-Pelting; Officials Forced to Retreat

Tensions erupted in a village of Dhar district after villagers allegedly pelted stones at an administrative team conducting a survey for a proposed limestone quarry. The incident, reported on February 19, forced officials to halt the operation and withdraw from the area amid fears of escalation. Authorities said the situation is now under control.

According to officials, the administration had reached the village with police personnel drawn from nine police stations to carry out drilling and sampling work linked to a proposed limestone quarry and cement plant project. However, as soon as machinery was positioned in agricultural fields, a large group of villagers, including women, gathered at the site and staged a protest, blocking roads and preventing the survey from proceeding.

Eyewitness accounts and videos circulating on social media showed protesters surrounding government officials and throwing stones at vehicles. The tehsildar’s vehicle and several police and administrative vehicles were reportedly damaged, and some protesters were seen attempting to overturn the official car. Fearing injuries and further violence, officials exercised restraint and withdrew without completing the survey.

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Villagers claim they have been opposing the proposed mining and cement project for months, arguing it could damage fertile farmland, deplete groundwater, and lead to displacement in parts of Kukshi, Bagh and Jobat. They also alleged that earlier assurances were given that work would not proceed without local consent. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramod Gurjar said the sampling was being conducted as per rules and that written objections would be considered, adding that peace has since been restored.

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