Noida witnessed massive factory workers' protests demanding better wages, paralysing key arterial roads and disrupting daily life across the NCR during peak hours. Uttar Pradesh labour minister Anil Rajbhar flagged a possible conspiracy angle, probing links to handlers in Pakistan in light of recent terror-related arrests in the region.
The unrest turned violent, with arson, vandalism, and clashes with police reported, while authorities scrambled to restore order and contain the fallout. The government later formed a high-level committee and announced a hike in minimum wages to address worker grievances.
Key points from the Noida protest include:
- Large-scale workers' protests over wage demands brought Noida to a standstill.
- Uttar Pradesh labour minister Anil Rajbhar termed the unrest a "well-planned conspiracy" linked to handlers in Pakistan.
- The protests escalated sharply during peak morning hours, crippling traffic across Noida and spilling over into Delhi.
- Industrial hubs turned into flashpoints, with incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and vandalism reported.
- The government later announced a hike in minimum wages to address worker grievances.
