Survey Team Attacked During Quarry Inspection in Dhar district Village

Tension erupted in a village in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday 18 February 2026, after villagers allegedly attacked an administrative team that had arrived to conduct drilling and sampling work for a proposed limestone quarry and cement plant project.

According to officials, the administration, accompanied by police personnel from nine police stations, reached the site to carry out survey and sampling procedures. As drilling machinery was stationed in agricultural fields, a large number of villagers — including women — gathered and began protesting. They blocked roads, sat in front of official vehicles, and refused to allow the survey to proceed.

The situation escalated rapidly. Viral videos circulating on social media show an angry mob pelting stones at government vehicles and attempting to overturn the tehsildar’s car. Several police and administrative vehicles were reportedly damaged. In view of the deteriorating law-and-order situation and to prevent injuries, officials withdrew from the site without completing the survey.

Villagers claim they have been opposing the proposed limestone mining and cement plant for months. They allege that the project would damage fertile agricultural land, deplete groundwater resources, and lead to displacement in the Kukshi, Bagh, and Jobat blocks. Protesters also referred to earlier demonstrations, including road blockades near Vijay Stambh intersection in Kukshi.

Residents further alleged that District Collector Priyanka Mishra had earlier assured them during a visit to Mogra village that no project work would proceed without consent from public representatives and villagers. They claim the current survey violated that assurance.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pramod Gurjar stated that sampling work was being conducted in accordance with rules. He added that objections could be submitted in writing and would be addressed at the appropriate level. Authorities confirmed that the situation has since been brought under control.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticised the move, stating on social media that the rights of tribal communities over water, forest and land would be defended “from the streets to the Assembly,” and alleged that the project was being advanced without proper consent.

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