Noida remained under siege for nearly nine hours on Monday as thousands of workers, demanding significant wage hikes, engaged in widespread violence, arson and stone-pelting across various industrial sectors. Authorities have detained over 300 individuals and filed seven FIRs in connection with the chaos, which resulted in an estimated financial loss of Rs 3,000 crore.

Outbreak Of Violence

The agitation, which had been building since Saturday following reports of a female worker being injured by a gunshot during a protest at the Minda factory in Ecotech-3, escalated rapidly on Monday morning. Armed with sticks and stones, protesters targeted more than 500 industrial units.

labourprotestsWorkers protest outside the company in Sector 60. (Image Source: Jagran)

ALSO READ: Noida Protest Turns Violent Again: Stones Pelted In Phase 2 Despite Salary Hike Announcements And Company Promises | WATCH

Key areas of destruction included:

Phase-1: Protesters set fire to a police motorcycle in Sector 1 and a car in Sector 6.

Phase-2: Attackers stormed the Motheron Group, Ikka Electronics and Dixon Export. Police vehicles were overturned and torched, forcing security forces to use tear gas.

Phase-3 (Sector 63): Significant damage was reported at Vipul Motors (Maruti) and Nexa service centers, where 35 cars were smashed and six set ablase. An Airtel building and several factories in Sector 57 were also vandalised.

labourprotests (1)

In total, over 20 vehicles were incinerated, and more than 500 units were pelted with stones. Approximately 30 people, including 10 police officers, sustained injuries during the clashes.

ALSO READ: World's Biggest Crisis Soon: Paying More For Oil And Gas Due To Hormuz Blockade? Get Ready For Higher Grocery Bills

Impact on Public Life And Administration

The city was effectively held "hostage" from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Major transit points, including NH-9 and the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, faced severe blockades, paralysing the commute for office-goers and residents traveling to Delhi and Ghaziabad.

Recommended For You

Current Security Measures:

- PAC (Provincial Armed Constabulary) and additional forces from Ghaziabad have been deployed.

- Police are scanning WhatsApp groups and using video footage to identify further suspects.

- DM Medha Rupam and Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh have issued public appeals for peace.

- The Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA) has directed all industrial units to remain closed on Tuesday.

Core Demands And Government Response

Following the unrest, the government announced a 21 per cent wage increase for workers in Noida and Ghaziabad. However, the labour unions have outlined a specific list of demands:

Minimum Wage: Rs 12,000 for unskilled and Rs 20,000 for skilled workers.

Overtime: Double payment for extra hours.

Timely Pay: Salaries to be disbursed by the 10th of every month.

Benefits: Guaranteed annual bonus by November and one weekly off.


Also In News