Protest over textile factory in Neemuch:Police book villagers not present during violent clash; Locals vow to protect dam water

A 70-year-old dam that once united villages in Neemuch district has now become the centre of a major protest. People in Morwan and nearby villages fear losing their clean water to a large textile factory being built by Suvidhi Rayon Industries from Bhilwara, Rajasthan. They claim the factory will use and pollute the dam water that sustains more than 20,000 people.The protest turned violent on 6 November, leading to police action and tension across the area. Dainik Bhaskar visited the site to understand the villagers’ concerns, the government’s response, and what lies ahead. ‘Our ancestors gave this land for free’ Sixty-year-old Deepak Gurjar from Morwan recalls how their elders gave up their land without payment to build the dam 70 years ago. “They worked hard so that future generations could have water,” he says. “Now, that very water is being taken away from us. For one factory owner, they are ready to risk the lives of twenty thousand people. What kind of justice is this? This feels like British rule again.” Deepak believes the factory will not only consume their water but also poison what remains through chemical waste. Calm village, but tense atmosphere When the Bhaskar team reached Morwan, three to four policemen were stationed on the main road. The market had just reopened after the 6 November clashes, but fear lingered. Villager Pooranmal Ahir pointed to the site where the factory boundary wall was being built. “This land covers about 150 bighas,” he said. “Our cattle grazed here and children played cricket. Around one and a half months ago, they started building the wall secretly from the backside. When the wall reached the front, we asked questions — that’s when we learnt it was a textile mill.” Why the villagers are protesting The villagers say they are not against development but against threats to their lives and water. They have four main concerns. 1. Use of dam water in the factory Kanhaiyalal from Morwan says, “We only asked that the factory not use dam water, not discharge waste into it, and be built away from our homes. Is that too much to ask?” Rajkumar Ahir adds that the dam supplies irrigation water to about 15 nearby villages and drinking water to Sarwaniya and Jawad Nagar Panchayats. “We didn’t object when towns took water for drinking. But using it for an industrial plant is different,” he said. 2. Fear of pollution Residents of Jawad town share this worry. Vinod Dhakad says, “All of Jawad drinks water from Morwan Dam. It’s so clean you can drink it directly — no filter needed. We fear chemicals from the factory will ruin it.” Engineering graduate Arvind Jat warns, “Once the mill starts, chemical waste and smoke will pollute both the dam and groundwater. I have seen the situation in Hamirgarh and Bhilwara, where people are leaving because of factory pollution.” 3. Factory in a populated area Arvind also highlights how close the factory is to homes. “Within 500 metres, there are two villages — Janakpur and Jagahpur — with 2,000 people. Only 200 metres away is a Higher Secondary School, and just 100 metres from the site a 10-bed government hospital is under construction. On the other side of the road are a cowshed, hostel, Panchayat building, and the Morwan Dam itself. The factory is surrounded by residential areas. Pollution will affect everyone.” 4. Police action and alleged false cases After the violent protest, police filed a First Information Report (FIR) naming over 35 people. Villagers say even innocent people were included. Ramnarayan says, “My grandson has been out of the village since 4 November, and my granddaughter is married and lives elsewhere. Still, their names are in the FIR.” Ratanlal, who is on dialysis, says he was in hospital in Neemuch during the incident. “You can check the records,” he says. “Still, my name and my grandson’s are in the FIR. We are being punished for saving our water.” Another villager, Virendra, says he had gone to a wedding in Rajasthan on 5 November but learnt his name was also on the list when he returned. Officials defend the project Rajesh Rathore from the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) calls it a major investment for the region. “This integrated textile project will make everything from fibre to fabric. In the first phase, Rs 350 crore will be invested, creating 2,000 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs.” He assures that pollution will be controlled. “The plant will have a zero-liquid-discharge system that recycles 97% of water. The remaining solid waste will be used as fuel in a cement plant. PTZ cameras will monitor the process, and we will publicly display the footage. The boiler will use biofuel from stubble.” Collector orders inquiry Neemuch Collector Himanshu Chandra said the land was allotted by the Industrial Department. “We have instructed the Pollution Control Department to examine all documents to ensure no water or land contamination occurs. Mining officials are also investigating complaints of illegal stone royalty.” Police explain their action Neemuch SP Ankit Jaiswal said violence took place inside the factory on 6 November. “The same group that had been protesting attacked employees and damaged property. We were supporting peaceful protest, but once violence began, we filed an FIR against 28 named persons and others,” he said. He added, “Anyone wrongly named can submit evidence. We will check and remove false entries. Our focus is only on those who caused chaos.” MLA appeals for calm Former minister and Jawad MLA Omprakash Sakhlecha said villagers were initially misinformed about the factory. “After talks with the Industrial Development Corporation, most have agreed. Their pollution fears have been addressed. The factory will operate with zero liquid discharge, and environmental standards are now much stricter than before.” Conflict between jobs and water The people of Morwan and nearby villages face a painful choice — jobs promised by the factory or the clean water they depend on.For now, calm has returned, but the unease remains. The villagers still fear losing the dam that their ancestors built — the same dam that has kept their land, cattle and crops alive for generations.