The Uttar Pradesh Police have launched an investigation into possible Pakistan links following the violent protests by factory workers in Noida. Authorities claim that some "outsiders" attempted to incite unrest after the proesting workers dispersed peacefully on Sunday.
Seven FIRs have been registered across various police stations in the region and several individuals have been detained.
"After the labourers dispersed peacefully, a group from outside the district arrived in the areas bordering neighbouring districts. They moved around attempting to incite tension and provoke violence," Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh told reporters on Monday night.
Though the exact number of people taken into custody was not disclosed, a News18 report indicated that approximately 300 individuals have been arrested for arson and vandalism, while more than 100 others have been detained for questioning.
In the wake of the unrest, Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar revealed that authorities are probing a potential link to Pakistan, citing recent terror-related arrests in Meerut and Noida. Rajbhar described the violence as a “well-planned conspiracy” designed to disrupt development and law and order in the region.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, raised concerns about possible links to attempts to revive Naxalism. "Naxalism is near elimination, but attempts to revive it could be part of a larger conspiracy. Some protests may have involved misleading and disruptive elements," he said after chairing a high-level review meeting.
According to a police statement, around 40,000 to 45,000 workers from various sectors gathered at over 80 locations across the commissionerate on Monday, causing disruptions and law-and-order issues in parts of the district. Police exercised restraint and patience while managing the situation, despite repeated disruptions to traffic and public order.
“Demonstrating immense restraint, patience, and prudence, the police made every effort to control, counsel, and peacefully disperse the crowds while quickly bringing incidents of arson under control,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the factory worker unrest led the state government to take swift action, approving a wage increase for workers across various categories. Chief Minister Adityanath endorsed a decision by a high-powered committee to revise the minimum wages on Monday night.