Noida workers' violence: UP cops arrest alleged mastermind from Tamil Nadu

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday arrested the alleged mastermind behind the recent violence during workers’ protests in Noida.

Aditya Anand was arrested from Trichy Railway Station in Tamil Nadu after the UP STF began extensive raids across Delhi-NCR, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to apprehend individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating the violence that rocked Noida on April 13-14. Several others have also been detained during these operations.

A UP court had issued a non-bailable warrant against Anand, while Noida Police announced a Rs 1 lakh reward after he went absconding following the violence. Further legal proceedings against him are currently underway, said Noida Police.

Anand, who completed his BTech from NIT Jamshedpur, had emerged as a key figure during the investigations. He was allegedly present in Noida during the protests and is accused of creating multiple WhatsApp groups using QR codes to mobilise protesters. He is also accused of delivering provocative speeches to incite people.

According to a police statement, around 40,000 to 45,000 workers from various sectors gathered at more than 80 locations across Noida and Greater Noida on April 13 and 14, leading to traffic disruptions and law-and-order issues in parts of the district.

Officials said the situation deteriorated at certain locations, particularly in Sector-63 and near the Motherson company premises, where some “unruly” elements resorted to stone-pelting, vandalism, and even arson.

According to investigators, most of those involved in the violence were not actual workers. Preliminary findings also suggested that several arrested individuals may be linked to Mazdoor Bigul and an alleged urban Naxal network.

With Anand in custody, the STF is expected to widen its net as investigations into the Noida violence continue across multiple states. The question of who orchestrated the protests and through which networks is likely to remain at the centre of the probe in the days ahead.

- Ends