Conspiracy to spread unrest: Yogi Adityanath on violent Noida wage protests

A widening wave of worker unrest across the NCR spilt into violence in Noida, prompting Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to urge calm and assure labourers that the government “stands with you”.

Addressing a rally in Muzaffarnagar, Yogi struck a firm tone while appealing directly to workers amid escalating tensions.

“Double-engine government under the Prime Minister’s leadership is building a model of security, good governance and service,” he said, adding, “Some people are conspiring to spread unrest and stop the state from moving towards peace and prosperity.”

He also reached out to workers, saying, “I appeal to all employees and labourers, the double-engine government always stands with you,” while recalling that during the Covid period, workers were transported home using government-arranged vehicles.

VIOLENCE ERUPTS IN NOIDA PHASE 2

The protests intensified in Noida’s industrial clusters, particularly in Phase 2, where demonstrations turned violent. Protesters set vehicles on fire, hurled stones and entered factory premises in sectors 59, 60 and 62, damaging property.

Heavy police deployment followed, with eight companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary and RAF personnel stationed across sensitive zones. Additional forces were brought in from nearby districts, while senior officials continued ground assessments at protest and arson sites.

Quick Response Teams have been deployed at key industrial units, including Motherson and other vulnerable locations, with night patrols intensified.

POLICE DENY FIRING, WARN AGAINST RUMOURS

Uttar Pradesh Police said workers had been “misled from outside the state” and that protests occurred at multiple locations, but only one turned violent.

Police said “minimum force” was used to bring the situation under control and made it clear that no firing took place. Authorities also warned of legal action against those spreading misinformation or inciting unrest.

TRAFFIC AND SITUATION NOW LARGELY NORMAL

According to Noida Traffic Police, movement on the Noida–Greater Noida Expressway has returned to normal speeds, with personnel deployed on the ground.

Officials said the situation across most industrial areas has stabilised, with crowds dispersed from several locations. Only a few pockets continue to see gatherings, but overall conditions are under control.

WAGE PROTESTS SPREAD FROM HARYANA TO NCR

The unrest traces back to April 3, when thousands of workers at a Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India plant in IMT Manesar launched a protest demanding higher minimum wages. The agitation soon spread to multiple companies across the industrial belt.

By April 6, workers across more than a dozen firms had announced a strike, citing rising living costs and stagnant wages. While the Haryana government later announced up to a 35 per cent increase in minimum wages effective April 1, communication gaps and enforcement issues triggered further anger.

On April 10, Gurugram authorities registered cases against around 56 people following earlier violence, even as tensions remained.

Inspired by developments in Haryana, workers in Noida and parts of NCR began demanding similar wage revisions, leading to fresh protests over the past few days.

POLITICAL SPARRING INTENSIFIES

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav targeted the government, linking the protests to broader economic distress.

“Injustice has reached its peak under the BJP government What we saw today in Noida, workers have been demanding their rights on a large scale. The entire responsibility lies with the administration and the government,” he said.

A FRAGILE CALM, BUT TENSIONS PERSIST

While authorities say the situation is under control for now, underlying anger over wages remains. Reports suggest workers may organise fresh protests in the coming days, keeping the administration on alert.

Yogi’s message from Muzaffarnagar signals a dual approach, outreach to workers and a warning against attempts to disturb order, as the state looks to prevent further escalation.

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