Jaipur, May 28 (IANS) The ongoing agitation led by saints and residents against the proposed RIICO industrial project at Bhairana Dham in Jaipur district took a dramatic turn on late Wednesday night, as Nagaur MP and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) chief Hanuman Beniwal launched a march towards the state capital with thousands of supporters before reaching an agreement with the administration en route.
Following late-night talks involving senior officials, including the Inspector General of Police, District Collector, and RIICO representatives, a consensus was reached on key demands concerning the disputed land and proposed industrial development.
Beniwal later described the agreement as a “victory for Rajasthan’s soldiers, farmers, and Sanatan culture”.
The movement intensified following a massive Mahapanchayat held at Bhairana Dham, where saints and villagers have been protesting against plans to establish an RIICO industrial zone and allocate dairy plots in the area.
Protesters argued that the land has historically served as grazing ground, a religious site, and a natural water conservation zone, and that industrial development would threaten both faith and the environment. Several rounds of discussions between the administration and protesting saints had earlier failed to yield any outcome. After negotiations reportedly collapsed during the day, Hanuman Beniwal, addressing the Mahapanchayat, announced an immediate march to Jaipur by foot and vehicle convoy.
Following Beniwal’s call, thousands of farmers, youth, and RLP supporters from Nagaur, Jodhpur, Jaipur Rural, and nearby districts joined the march toward Jaipur. As the convoy advanced, concerns over law and order prompted Jaipur district and divisional officials to intervene. Administrative authorities stopped the convoy midway and proposed fresh negotiations. Talks were subsequently held at a temporary camp along the highway and continued late into the night. Addressing the media after the meeting, Beniwal said the administration had accepted several major demands in principle and practice.
All industrial development and construction activities linked to the proposed RIICO project on nearly 800 bighas of land at Bhairana Dham have been put on hold with immediate effect, he said, adding that dairy plot allotments have been suspended. Work and allotment related to two commercial dairy plots in the area have also been stopped. A joint committee comprising saints, public representatives, the regional IG, District Collector, and senior RIICO officials has been constituted to examine the dispute.
According to Beniwal, the newly formed committee will hold its first meeting within seven days and conduct a physical inspection of the disputed land. The committee will examine the presence of natural rivers, streams, drainage channels, and catchment areas within the 800-bigha tract.
Officials said the inquiry will determine whether any natural water bodies or flow channels fall within the proposed project area, as High Court guidelines prohibit their conversion for industrial or commercial purposes.
The agreement has temporarily de-escalated tensions surrounding the Bhairana Dham agitation, though the committee’s findings are expected to play a decisive role in determining the future of the proposed project.
–IANS
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