Smoke hung over Noida's industrial skyline on Monday as a three-day-long workers' agitation over low wages spiralled into vandalism and clashes.
The unrest intensified after a some female workers were allegedly hit during police action.
Workers gathered in large numbers, blocking arterial roads in Sectors 1, 60 and 84, causing traffic to grind to a halt as anger spilled onto the streets.
Several vehicles were set ablaze and others damaged during the clashes, leaving behind burnt vehicles and blocked roads.
Protesters demanded a salary of ₹20,000, citing the high cost of living and the need for wage parity with neighbouring Haryana.
A woman protester said, 'I was hit in my legs. I demand that we be paid ₹20,000 as salary. Only then can we sustain ourselves; otherwise, the protest will continue.'
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav pinned the blame on the ruling administration, saying 'Injustice has reached its peak under the BJP government.'
