Factory Workers Protest Turns Violent in Noida, 300 Arrested

A wage hike protest in Noida on Monday grew quickly, as over 40,000 factory workers clashed with security officials.

Major roads were blocked, security increased, and some entry points became tense. The protest, which took place at 80 locations after Haryana raised minimum pay, turned violent when protesters set vehicles and property on fire and threw stones at police in Noida's Phase-2 and Sector 63.

Labourers Protest in Noida

By evening, police had arrested more than 300 protesters for arson and vandalism, and held over 100 others for questioning. Officials said they are using factory CCTV footage to identify more people, and more action may follow.

Police said some outsiders tried to cause trouble in Noida after the workers had already left peacefully.

According to Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, some members of the group have been taken into custody.

They are probing further to catch the remaining individuals and take strict action thereafter.

Possible Pakistan Connection Under Investigation

Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar said authorities are looking into a possible connection to Pakistan in the Noida unrest, after recent terror-related arrests in the area.

He suspects the incident was carried out with the intention of disrupting the development and law and order of the state.

Recently, four suspected terrorists have been arrested from Meerut and Noida, whose links were connected to handlers based in Pakistan.

In such a situation, the possibility of a conspiracy to create instability in the state gains strength. Agencies are probing further to discover the exact cause of the whole matter.

The minister also claimed the unrest could have been aimed at disrupting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's event in Muzaffarnagar earlier that day, and alleged that "anti-national forces" were trying to create instability in the state.

The government is ready to listen to every concern of the workers," he added.

Factory Workers Protest: What Caused the Uproar?

Why did the workers protest? After Haryana raised minimum wages for all worker categories by 35 per cent, workers in Noida started asking why they were paid less.

Factory workers said their companies are not paying the minimum wages set by the central government. Low wages and poor working conditions forced them to protest.

A protester said that even after working 12-hour shifts, workers earn between Rs 11,000 and Rs 15,000, which makes it hard to support a family.

Another claimed there are problems with wage payments, saying workers are often made to sign for double shifts but are only paid for a single duty.

Everything is becoming expensive, but our salaries remain around Rs 11,000-12,000. They should be increased to at least Rs 20,000-25,000," a protester said.

Noida Protest Today: UP Govt Turns Down Factory Workers’ Demand

The Uttar Pradesh government turned down the factory workers' demand for a pay increase, saying it had already raised wages on April 1.

The new temporary rates in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad are now Rs 13,690 for unskilled workers, Rs 15,059 for semi-skilled workers, and Rs 16,868 for skilled workers.

Officials said the situation in Noida was brought under control with minimal force by Monday night.

Noida Protest News: Yogi Adityanath's Committee Prioritizes Worker Welfare

Heavy security remains in place, and sensitive areas are being closely watched. A committee set up by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has promised that workers' interests will be a top priority and that labour laws will be strictly enforced in all companies.