Police resorted to tear gas and applied what they described as “minimum force” on Monday to disperse a factory workers’ protest in Noida, a suburb of India’s national capital, which escalated into violence on its fourth consecutive day. The unrest saw vehicles set ablaze and stones thrown in various parts of this major industrial township.
Noida is recognized as one of Asia’s largest planned industrial hubs, hosting thousands of manufacturing units. The protest reflects growing discontent over rising living expenses worldwide, exacerbated by the U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran that has disrupted fuel supplies. Similar demonstrations in Haryana, a neighboring state known for automobile manufacturing, recently compelled the government to approve a 35% increase in minimum wages.
Vinay Mahoti, a 30-year-old hosiery factory worker from Bihar, initially protested inside his workplace before joining a larger group of workers from different companies who marched onto the streets. He emphasized demands for regulated working hours, payment for overtime, and strict adherence to federal labor guidelines.
Footage showed dozens of protesters chanting slogans while security forces in riot gear monitored the situation. Other scenes captured an overturned vehicle engulfed in flames and demonstrators throwing stones and attempting to breach police barricades.
Local authorities stated that only minimal force was used to restore order. Meanwhile, Narendra Kashyap, a legislator from Uttar Pradesh—the state where Noida is located—urged the protesters to engage in dialogue with the government. The Gautam Budh Nagar police confirmed that senior officials are actively working to counsel the workers, encouraging them to maintain peace and exercise restraint.
At the time, the exchange rate stood at $1 to 93.3200 Indian rupees.
