Tension gripped Noida over the weekend following allegations that four labour activists, including three women, were allegedly unlawfully detained by police after participating in a workers’ strike demanding wage increases in the Noida Industrial Area.
According to statements shared by the activist on ground, the incident occurred on April 11 at the Botanical Garden Metro Station. The statement shared with FoEJ Media allege that “male UP police officials in uniforms and in civil dresses abducted 4 activists and put them into UP police vehicles and took them away.”
The alleged detentions triggered immediate concern among workers and families. “More than 50 workers and relatives reached Noida Phase 2 police station and asked for the whereabouts of the missing,” the activist on ground said.
However, they were “greeted with barricades and inattention,” , and that police did not disclose the activists’ location despite a formal missing complaint being filed, the activist on ground alleged.
Furthermore, the activist on ground said that on Sunday, it was confirmed that the four labour activists are now in judicial custody. However, further allegations emerged when lawyers and activists attempting to secure their release reportedly faced police action. “Yesterday lawyers and activists reached Surajpur court to bail them out; they were beaten and taken into custody,” the activists on ground claimed.
A massive protest unfolded in Noida by factory workers demanding a hike in wages, which soon turned violent, leading to the burning of cars and blocking of roads in several parts of the city. Initiated by a latest 35% wage hike in neighboring Haryana, protesting workers demanded higher pay and better working conditions and said that current wages were insufficient for rising living costs.
According to officials, a large number of workers from various industrial units gathered to protest for a raise in salary, chanting slogans during the protest. However, it soon turned violent as some protestors allegedly vandalized property and set a vehicle ablaze. Shortly after this, a heavy police deployment was made at the site, bringing the situation under control.
Amidst the havoc, the traffic police had advised people to take alternative routes. “Traffic at Noida is severely affected due to ongoing agitation by the workers from private factories. They have completely blocked the Noida Link Road coming from Chilla Border (Delhi). Traffic movement towards Noida from the Chilla border is severely affected. The public is hereby advised to plan their journey accordingly and use DND for travelling to Noida. Traffic intending to go to Noida may use DND from Sarai Kale Khan or alternatively use NH 24 – Kondli Bridge and enter Noida through Noida Mod,” Traffic Police posted on X.
Meanwhile, addressing a rally, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the ongoing labor protest in Noida is a conspiracy to disrupt the state’s growth and development.
