Residents of Mushkabad and nearby villages have intensified their protest against the construction of a biogas plant in the area, beginning a chain hunger strike to press their demand for a halt to the project. Around 10 villagers, including men and women, will sit on the fast every day at the protest site, reports The Tribune.
Locals said they had opposed the project since its inception, but construction was allegedly started by the administration six months ago despite resistance. The protest is being led by former sarpanch Malwinder Singh Lovely and current woman sarpanch Sarabjit Kaur.
The leaders accused the state government, headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, of neglecting public health concerns. They alleged that the plant would expose residents to water, air, and soil pollution. Citing the example of a similar facility in Ghungrali Rajputan near Khanna, they claimed it had caused widespread contamination, leading to waterborne and respiratory diseases in both humans and animals.
“The administration has ignored the lessons from Ghungrali Rajputan, where toxic compounds entered the food chain, posing serious risks to health and the environment,” said Lovely.
The villagers welcomed support from trade unions, farmers’ groups, political outfits, and activists who have joined the agitation in solidarity. Residents from Mushkabad, Tapprian, and Khirnia are at the forefront of the campaign, while opposition to biogas plants has also grown in Akhara, Bhundir, Bagge Kalan, and Ghungrali Rajputan. Protesters fear emissions and odours from these plants could contaminate water and soil, damage crops, and harm livestock.
Students of Punjabi University recently drew attention to the issue through a documentary, warning that several biogas plants, presented as eco-friendly solutions for crop residue disposal, were in fact releasing hazardous chemicals that could cause cancer.
Villagers said they would use the protest platform to raise broader awareness about the dangers of misusing science and technology for short-term industrial gains at the cost of public health and environmental safety.
