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Noida Protests: Violence was first reported in the afternoon, with sporadic stone-pelting and vandalism continuing till 5 pm.
The unrest paralysed traffic during the morning rush hour, leaving thousands of commuters stranded enroute to Delhi. (X)
Noida Protests: Violence broke out in Phase 2 of Noida on Monday after hundreds of workers gathered to protest over their demands for a salary increase.
Vehicles, including police SUVs, were torched, public property vandalised, and stone-pelting was reported from industrial hubs in the IT hub as protests turned violent. Police rushed to the spot and deployed a heavy force to control the situation. Tear gas was used to disperse the crowd.
Violence was first reported in the afternoon, with sporadic stone-pelting and vandalism continuing till 5 pm. No major incidents of arson or violence were reported thereafter, officials said.
Police Flag Outsiders’ Role
The Police, meanwhile, flagged the role of “outsiders” in triggering violence after workers had dispersed peacefully, and several such elements have been detained and seven FIRs registered in connection with the violence.
Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh said that a group from outside the district moved into border areas and attempted to provoke unrest.
“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,” he said as quoted by news agency PTI.
Seven cases have been registered across various police stations within the Gautam Buddh Nagar Commissionerate, and “several anti-social elements” have been taken into custody following the unrest, police said.
UP DGP Vows Crackdown
Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna warned of strict action against “provocative” and “external elements” allegedly behind the violence. Officials said the DGP along with senior officers, including ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash, were monitoring the situation in Noida from the police headquarters control room here and issuing necessary directions to officers.
Addressing officers through a video conference on Monday evening, the DGP directed them to maintain restraint, continue empathetic engagement with workers and take firm legal action against those involved in violence, arson, vandalism or spreading rumours.
Authorities further said that misinformation may have contributed to the unrest. FIRs have been filed against two social media handles, and over 50 suspected bot accounts have been identified for spreading misleading content.
The Uttar Pradesh STF has been tasked with investigating the digital trail behind these accounts.
Violence Across Industrial Hubs
The protests, which began over wage and labour-related demands, turned violent in several industrial areas including Sectors 60, 63 and Phase-2.
Incidents of arson, vandalism and stone-pelting were reported, with vehicles—including police SUVs—set on fire. Incidents of vandalism were also reported from Sectors 63, 65 and 57, while several factories in Sectors 58, 59, 60 and 64 remained shut amid the unrest.
Violence also spread to Sector 63, where protesters torched multiple cars at a service centre, damaged vehicles inside the premises and set the guard cabin on fire, locals said, adding that stones were pelted using bricks and rods.
Police said around 40,000–45,000 workers gathered at over 80 locations, leading to law-and-order challenges.
The unrest paralysed traffic during the morning rush hour, leaving thousands of commuters stranded enroute to Delhi, with long queues of vehicles stretching for several kilometres at the Delhi-Noida border.
CM Yogi Urges For Calm, Forms Committee To Resolve Issues
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the formation of a committee to address workers’ concerns and prevent further industrial unrest.
The panel, led by the Industrial Development Commissioner, will include senior officials and representatives from labour unions and industry bodies. It has been tasked with submitting recommendations at the earliest.
Officials said four out of five key demands raised by workers have already been accepted, with discussions ongoing for the remaining issues.
He also appealed to the state’s workers to remain cautious of those attempting to spread industrial unrest and not to allow their efforts to succeed under any circumstances.
He urged the protesting workers to stay calm and assured that the government stands with them.
While addressing a rally in Muzaffarnagar, CM Yogi appealed to the labourers that the double engine government is building a model of security and good governance and service for them. “Some conspiring to spread unrest and stop the state from moving towards peace and prosperity,” he said.
Why Workers Were Protesting?
Workers across industrial units in Noida had been staging protests primarily over low wages and disparity with neighbouring states.Haryana recently raised minimum wages to around Rs 19,000 per month. In comparison, wages in Uttar Pradesh remained significantly lower at around Rs 13,000. This gap triggered anger among workers in Noida’s industrial clusters, with protests intensifying in Phase 2, a hub for multiple manufacturing units.
(With inputs from agencies)
April 14, 2026, 02:23 IST
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