In March 2024, a clash broke out between farmers and police in Bihar’s Buxar district over land acquisition and compensation disputes related to the under-construction Chausa Thermal Power Plant, a joint venture between the Government of India and the Himachal Pradesh Government. On 20 March 2024, farmers blocked the plant's main gate, prompting the police to lathi charge, injuring at least 20 personnel.
Earlier in January 2024, the Patna High Court had ordered the district administration to monitor the site and prevent gathering of protestors in active work zones. Since October 2022, farmers have staged several protests demanding fair compensation for the land acquired by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) between 2012 and 2013 for the thermal plant in Chausa village.
This project was proposed in 2012-13 and in 2015, the responsibility of its construction was given to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN). For the project, 1058 acres of land was to be acquired for the main plant, 147 acres for the rail corridor to be built to bring coal to the plant and 45 acres of land for the pipeline to bring water from Ganga. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the plant in March 2019. By January 2023, the district administration acquired over 1,000 acres of land for the project from local farmers, while efforts were underway to acquire the remaining 250 acres of land for a rail corridor and a water pipeline.
According to a Bhaskar report, most of the 300 farmers, who received 80 percent of their total compensation in 2012-13, alleged that they have been given less compensation. In addition, farmers who received the payment between 2014 and 2016 claimed that the compensation was affixed at the circle rate from 2011. Meanwhile, Buxar-based RTI activist Shiv Prakash Rai alleged that the authorities began acquiring 250 acres of land without the approval of farmers. Farmers also alleged that at the time of acquisition they did not know why the land was being acquired and what compensation would be given for it.
Despite repeated protests since August 2022, SJVN and government agencies have continued construction. In January 2023, work on the water pipeline was forcibly started on the land of Jai Mangal Pandey and Bharat Pandey in Chausa Nagar Panchayat. In protest, farmers shut down the main gate of the under-construction power plant. This led to clashes between police and farmers. In Banarpur village, police reportedly used force against women, minors, and young girls, a video of which went viral. In retaliation, angry villagers set fire to dozens of vehicles inside the plant premises, turning the farmer protest into a political flashpoint. More than 39 individuals were named in FIRs, with over 300 others unnamed, in connection to the violence.
According to the farmers, 90 percent of the farmers have not taken compensation and those who have taken it, have taken it by expressing objection.
In October 2023, the district administration formed a mediation committee, led by SDM Dhirendra Mishra, to facilitate talks. Mishra criticized SJVN officials, asserting that farmers' rights would not be compromised. The matter is currently under judicial review in the LAR (Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation) Court, and farmers have stated they are willing to abide by the court’s decision.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Complaint against procedural violations
Demand for more compensation than promised
Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Rural
Type of Land
Private
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
30
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)
Status of Project
Project stalled due to protests
Original Project Deadline
2023
Whether the Project has been Delayed
Yes
Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users
Agricultural land
Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict
Yes
Source/Reference
Around three and a half thousand workers working at the Chausa Thermal Power Plant of Buxar district went on strike in 2023 demanding better salaries.
Total investment involved (in Crores):
₹
11000
Type of investment:
Cost of Project
Year of Estimation
Has the Conflict Ended?
No
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?
What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Incorrect estimation of compensation
Non-payment of compensation/promised compensation
Violation of free prior informed consent
Delay in compensation
Legal Status:
In Court
Status of Case In Court
Disposed
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
No
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Patna High Court
Case Number
Criminal Writ Jurisdiction Case No.1696 of 2023
Main Reasoning/Decision of court
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors:
Reported Details of the Violation:
On 20 March 2024, several farmers were injured when police lathi-charged the protesting farmers and a few police officials were also injured in stone pelting by farmers. Around 30 protesters were arrested. On 10 January 2023, police reportedly used force against women, minors, and young girls, a video of which went viral. In retaliation, angry villagers set fire to dozens of vehicles inside the plant premises, turning the farmer protest into a political flashpoint. More than 39 individuals were named in FIRs, with over 300 others unnamed, in connection to the violence.
Date of Violation
March 19, 2024
Location of Violation
Buxar
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
No
Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:
What was the action taken by the police?
Arrest
How many people did the police detain or arrest?
30
What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?
Did the person face any violence while in police custody?
If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?
If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?
Legislation under which the accused was charged
Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?
In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?
Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?
Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?
