Thansingh Doli Detained by Police, Farmers’ Protest over Contaminated Water Crisis Intensifies
Police detain RLP leader Thansingh Doli at 5 a.m. as farmers protest against years-long toxic water crisis in Bikaner’s villages intensifies.
Barmer : At around 5 a.m. today, police detained Thansingh Doli from the Doli protest site. The protest, which began on August 11, was being led by local leaders of the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) to raise the issue of years-long chemical waterlogging and contamination affecting the region.
Villagers Suffering for Years, Sudden Administrative Action
For decades, farmers in nearly 20 villages — including Dhawa, Doli, and Arba — have been battling the impact of chemically contaminated water. From drinking water to irrigation, the risk is everywhere. Despite the prolonged crisis, authorities had never shown such urgency before.
However, after the RLP supremo and Nagaur MP Hanuman Beniwal announced a rally in the area on August 14, administrative, political, and police activity surged suddenly.
Protest Permission Denied, Farmers Pressured
From the start, authorities refused permission for the protest. Farmers were forced out of their fields, and throughout the day, people were prevented from gathering. Without tents, food, or water, the farmers remained under the scorching sun. They spent the night surrounded by mosquitoes and toxic fumes, as police maintained a tight cordon around the site.
5 a.m. Operation: Leader Taken Away
Early this morning, at about 5 a.m., police detained Thansingh Doli from the protest site. The remaining farmers were allegedly threatened, intimidated, and forcibly dispersed. Locals claim the move was aimed at crushing the protest.
Despite being taken into custody, Doli announced via a social media post that the “Mahapadav” (grand sit-in) will continue. Farmers appear determined for an all-or-nothing fight this time.
Toxic Water — A Threat from Humans to the Entire Ecosystem
Residents say the chemical contamination is now threatening the entire ecosystem, not just human life. Thousands of birds, wildlife species, trees, and plants have already perished. If conditions remain unchanged, the area could turn into a barren wasteland in the near future.
The Question — Solution or Suppression?
Farmers are questioning why the protest is being stopped if the administration has a concrete solution. They demand that elected representatives and officials spend the night in affected villages to understand the real ground situation.
Many locals believe this is an act of political pressure rather than genuine governance, arguing that the priority should be solving the crisis instead of arresting the victims.
