Noida Protest: All industrial units in Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on Tuesday following a key decision taken by a high-powered committee formed by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at a meeting in Greater Noida.
The move comes a day after violent protests by factory workers demanding a wage hike and salary revision disrupted several parts of Noida on Monday (April 13), triggering massive traffic jams and raising serious law and order concerns.
According to a report by Jagran.com, entrepreneurs told the committee they would not reopen factories without adequate security. They also highlighted their concerns and sought immediate solutions from the administration.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath assured protesters that the government stands with them and urged them to remember the support extended during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also cautioned them to "be wary of those who incite unrest, do not let them succeed".
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The protests turned violent, with vehicles including police SUVs were set on fire, public property vandalised, and incidents of stone-pelting reported across industrial hubs in Noida.
Earlier in the day, unrest was reported from Phase-2 and Sector 60, where vehicles were torched and property damaged. Incidents of vandalism were also reported in Sectors 63, 65 and 57, while several factories in Sectors 58, 59, 60 and 64 remained shut amid the tension.
Violence later spread to Sector 63, where protesters allegedly set multiple cars ablaze at a service centre, damaged vehicles inside the premises and torched the guard cabin. Locals said stones were hurled using bricks and rods.
The protests began in the morning over demands for higher wages in line with recent rule amendments in Haryana, along with regulated working hours, overtime pay and improved safety measures. Authorities had been engaging with workers over the past two days in an attempt to defuse tensions.
Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across Noida and other sensitive areas, with deployment of local police, PAC, paramilitary forces and senior officials to maintain law and order.