Police Use Tear Gas as Workers’ Protest Turns Violent in Noida

Noida— Police fired tear gas and used what authorities described as “minimum force” on Monday to disperse factory workers protesting in Noida after demonstrations over wages and working conditions escalated into violence, with vehicles set ablaze and clashes reported across parts of the industrial hub

.The unrest, now in its fourth day, has disrupted activity in one of Asia’s largest planned industrial townships, where thousands of manufacturing units operate. Protesters, many employed in small factories, have been demanding higher wages and improved labour conditions amid rising living costs linked to global supply disruptions.

Workers said their grievances include long working hours, unpaid overtime and lack of adherence to government labour guidelines. Vinay Mahoti, a worker from Bihar employed in a hosiery unit, said demonstrations that began within factory premises spread to the streets as employees from multiple companies joined in.

Visuals showed protesters marching, chanting slogans and clashing with security personnel, with some overturning vehicles and setting them on fire while others hurled stones at barricades.

Local police said they were attempting to restore order using limited force. “Senior police and administrative officials are making persistent efforts to counsel the workers and urge them to maintain peace and restraint,” the Gautam Budh Nagar police said in a statement.

Narendra Kashyap called on demonstrators to engage in dialogue with authorities, urging a peaceful resolution to the dispute.The protests follow similar labour unrest in the neighbouring state of Haryana last week, where the government responded to worker demands by ordering a 35% increase in minimum wages.

Rising inflation and cost pressures, partly driven by global energy disruptions linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict, have intensified economic strain on industrial workers, contributing to growing unrest in key manufacturing regions.