A workers’ protest over wage hike demands turned into arson, stone-throwing and vandalism in Noida’s 2nd Industrial Area on Monday, triggering heavy police deployment and causing unrest across the city.
Groups of workers gathered and blocked main roads in industrial clusters, particularly in Sectors 1, 60 and 84, and allegedly set vehicles on fire, damaged property and threw stones during the clashes, as the unrest entered its third day.
Police used force in some areas to disperse crowds and prevent further escalation. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored and additional personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas. “Adequate force has been deployed. Efforts are underway to restore normalcy,” a police officer said.
The protests, largely centered around garment and manufacturing units, stem from demands for higher wages and better working conditions. The workers cited the wage disparity with neighboring Haryana state as a major reason for the unrest.
Scenes from the area showed destroyed vehicles, smoke rising from burning cars, and groups of workers occupying roads, bringing traffic to a standstill across several stretches.
Rahul Mehta, a commuter from Sector 62 in Noida, said he was on his way to the office when suddenly people started running and shouting. “We saw a car burning in front of us and had to make a U-turn,” Mehta said. “Rocks were being thrown, and the police were trying to control the crowd. Everyone was trying to get out of there.”
Another passenger, Alok Kumar, said he was stuck for more than an hour near an industrial area. “It didn’t feel like a protest; it just felt unsafe. There was no clarity about what was happening, and people were trying to escape the area.”
The violence led to major traffic disruptions in Noida and neighboring Delhi, with long congestions on major roads during peak hours. Movement at vital intersections slowed significantly as roads were closed and traffic was diverted.
Officials said efforts were continuing to calm tensions through dialogue with labor groups while maintaining law and order.
The district administration reiterated its assurances on worker welfare measures, including doubling overtime pay, timely disbursement of salaries, and grievance redressal mechanisms, to address workers’ concerns and prevent further unrest. The authorities appealed to the workers to maintain calm and avoid rumours.
