NOIDA: Even as the Uttar Pradesh government’s interim wage hike and heavy police deployment brought relative calm after Monday’s violence, fresh protests were reported in Noida on Tuesday, with security forces remaining on high alert across industrial and residential pockets.Police said continuous route marches were conducted since early morning, and workers gathered at a few locations were quickly dispersed after dialogue. Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh said the situation remains under control, adding that law and order has been restored across the district.
According to officials, more than 300 people have been arrested and seven FIRs registered in connection with Monday’s large-scale violence that saw arson, vandalism and disruption across multiple industrial clusters. Security arrangements have been intensified across sensitive locations, including Cleo County, Gari Chaukhandi, Sector 121 and Sector 70, where fresh gatherings were reported but remained peaceful.Police said these newer protests, largely involving domestic workers demanding higher wages, were handled through coordination and did not escalate into violence. Authorities, however, maintained strict surveillance and appealed to residents not to believe rumours or circulate unverified information, warning of legal action against those spreading misinformation.
‘WhatsApp syndicate ’ angle under probe
Investigators have meanwhile flagged a possible organised network operating through WhatsApp groups to mobilise participants. Police said several groups were created over the past two days, with members added using QR codes and group links shared widely among workers.Officials believe these platforms were used to circulate provocative messages and coordinate large gatherings across multiple sites. Digital forensic analysis of seized mobile phones has reportedly shown evidence of coordinated communication patterns, prompting investigators to probe the role of a possible organised “syndicate” behind the mobilisation.Police said several instigators have already been identified and arrested, while efforts are underway to trace funding sources and determine whether any external support—within or outside the state—was involved.
Outsiders and escalation during Monday violence
Reiterating earlier findings, police said Monday’s unrest escalated after groups described as “outsiders” entered protest sites even as workers had begun dispersing peacefully. These elements allegedly moved across bordering areas and attempted to incite fresh tensions, leading to clashes at multiple locations, including Sector 63 and near industrial facilities in Phase-2.
Noida: Factory workers during a protest demanding a hike in wages, in Noida, Gautam Buddh Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh. The protest carried incidents of arson, vandalism and stone-pelting reported from Phase-2 and Sector 60 areas, police said. (PTI Photo)
Officials said around 40,000 to 45,000 workers had gathered across more than 80 locations during the peak of the protests on Monday, with violence reported at several points before being brought under control through coordinated action.
Wage hike announced amid unrest
In response to the agitation, a high-level committee constituted by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an interim increase of around 21% in minimum wages for workers in Gautam Buddha Nagar and Ghaziabad.The revised structure raises monthly wages to Rs 13,690 for unskilled workers, Rs 15,059 for semi-skilled workers and Rs 16,868 for skilled workers, effective April 1. Officials said the committee has been holding marathon discussions with stakeholders and is expected to submit further recommendations soon.The government also said it has accepted four of the five key demands raised by workers and is working toward a negotiated resolution of the remaining issues.
Political blame game intensifies
The unrest has triggered a political exchange, with Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi accusing the Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress of attempting to disrupt law and order by provoking unrest through misinformation.Opposition leaders, however, rejected the allegations. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the government was attempting to deflect from genuine labour grievances, while Congress leader Rahul Gandhi backed the workers, calling their agitation a reflection of economic distress caused by rising inflation and stagnant wages.
Situation under control, monitoring continues
Police said the situation across the district is now under control, though surveillance continues in sensitive pockets. Authorities reiterated that only minimum necessary force was used during Monday’s clashes and praised the coordinated response of police units in restoring order.Officials have appealed for calm, urging citizens not to spread rumours, even as investigations continue into the role of organised mobilisation networks, outsiders, and possible coordinated attempts behind the unrest.(With agency inputs)