The demand to increase the salary, which was burning for the last four days, became a flame on Monday. The demonstration of workers, which started at around 9 am in the morning at Motherson Company of Phase-2, soon turned violent. Within about two hours, demonstrations of workers started in different areas of the city. The workers who took to the streets vandalized the companies of Sector-58, 59,62,63 and Sector-84. Meanwhile, the police lathicharged at many places. Tear gas shells were released to control the situation. Despite this the demonstration continued. As soon as the police withdrew till 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the workers came forward in groups and continued protesting. Arson continued at many places. Meanwhile, stone pelting took place in the companies. CCTV cameras and glass were broken.
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Cars burnt in Sector 63 – Photo: Amar Ujala
Situation became normal after around 4:30 pm
By 2 o’clock things gradually started calming down. By then the police had started taking strict action. A large number of policemen were deployed outside the companies. Unruly elements were taken into custody by the police in different sectors. Meanwhile, vandalism in companies and heated arguments between police personnel continued. However, at three o’clock again there were arson and demonstrations at many places. The situation became normal after around 4:30 pm. After this there was no violence or arson anywhere till night. However, police force is deployed in the industrial areas of the city.
Constant patrolling was being done in sensitive areas.
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When people threw stones at the police near Sector 57, the police opened fire with sticks – Photo: Amar Ujala
The protest became violent as the news of lathi charge on workers spread.
According to the police, at around 9 am on Monday, workers were protesting in Phase-2 area demanding increase in wages. The protest turned violent as the news of lathi charge on workers spread. The protesters started setting fire to government and private vehicles. Demolition and stone pelting started in the company. Police force reached the spot to control the situation. By then the angry mob set four vehicles on fire near Motherson Company. After this the demonstration became more violent. The workers attacked the police and companies with sticks and stones in their hands.
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When people threw stones at the police near Sector 57, the police opened fire with sticks – Photo: Amar Ujala
30 people injured in clashes
About 30 people from both sides were injured in the clashes between policemen and workers. Angry employees blocked the major roads of Phase-2. Within no time, demonstrations started taking place in different blocks of Phase-2. Due to which the situation went out of control. To control the angry crowd, the police had to release tear gas shells. The news of workers becoming angry spread rapidly on social media.
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Fierce demonstration in Noida – Photo: Amar Ujala
Demolition and stone pelting in companies
By 11 am, demonstrations started in Sector 57, 58, 59 and surrounding sectors. At 12 noon, the workers’ demonstration became violent in the nearby industrial sectors including Sector 63, 65, 67. Demolition and stone pelting continued in companies. Police deployment was increased after 2 pm. Top officials inspected such incidents. The situation became normal after 4:30 pm. The workers returned after the companies were closed. Police force remained deployed in the entire area till late night.