New Delhi : Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar on Monday described the violence during workers’ protests in Noida as a “well-planned conspiracy,” adding that authorities are also investigating a possible Pakistan link following recent terror-related arrests in the region. The minister said preliminary findings suggest the incident may have been intended to create instability.
The incident appears to have been carried out with the intention of disrupting the development and law and order of the state. In recent days, 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. His remarks came after protests by factory workers demanding a wage hike spiralled into violence across several parts of Noida, including Phase-2, Sector 60, Sector 62 and Sector 84.
Meanwhile, police have arrested around 350 people so far in connection with incidents of arson and vandalism, while over 100 others have been detained for questioning. Authorities are also scanning CCTV footage from factories to identify those involved in the unrest. The minister also said the unrest may also have been intended to disrupt Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s programme in Muzaffarnagar earlier in the day, alleging that “anti-national forces” were trying to create instability in the state.
They should not fall prey to any misleading information or provocation and must maintain peace. Chaos and aggressive protests are not a solution to any problem. The government is ready to listen to every concern of the workers,” Rajbhar said. He said that by putting the principle of “Shramev Jayate” into practice on the ground, the government is consistently working for the welfare of workers, adding that dialogue remains the preferred approach for resolving disputes.
Authorities said the situation in Noida is under control, with heavy deployment of police and paramilitary forces, while efforts continue to restore normalcy in the affected areas. Seven cases have been registered across various police stations in the Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate, with “several anti-social elements” taken into custody in the aftermath of the unrest, police said. Around 40,000 to 45,000 workers from various sectors gathered at more than 80 locations across the commissionerate on Monday, leading to disruptions and law-and-order issues in parts of the district.
“After the labourers dispersed peacefully, a group from outside the district arrived in the areas bordering neighbouring districts. They moved around attempting to incite tension and provoke violence. We have taken some members of this group into custody, and we are identifying the remaining individuals to initiate appropriate action against them,” Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh told reporters on Monday night.
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