Kamal Ghorui
NOIDA: A day after large-scale violence over wage hike demands, fresh unrest was reported in Noida on Tuesday, with protesters regrouping in Phase-2 and pelting stones even as police moved swiftly to contain the situation.According to officials, gatherings were reported from multiple pockets, including Sectors 70 and 82, where groups of workers assembled again and attempted to intensify the agitation. Stone-pelting incidents were reported in Phase-2, prompting immediate police intervention. Some cops were also injured in violence.Heavy deployment has been made in the affected areas, and security personnel were seen dispersing protesters to prevent further escalation. Authorities said efforts were underway to restore normalcy and ensure that the situation does not spiral like Monday’s violence, which had seen widespread arson, vandalism and traffic paralysis across the industrial hub.Awdhesh Mishra, a worker, said to news agency PTI, “The protest will continue till the time we get the salary that we are demanding. We work 12 hours, but don’t get the salary accordingly. What will we eat and save? We want salary between Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000.” Soni Singh, a worker, says, “Can the government tell us what will we do with Rs 13,000? Companies have stopped providing food, LPG cylinder have become costly. We work for 12-14 hours but they give overtime of just 3 hours. We want Rs 20,000 salary.” Singh, another worker, said, “We thank the government for increasing minimum wages but we won’t be able to survive on such amount. We need more money. We pay Rs 5,000 as room rent, ration expense is Rs 4,000. What do we save?.”
WhatsApp groups under scanner
As part of the ongoing investigation into the unrest, police have flagged the alleged use of WhatsApp groups to mobilise and radicalise participants as a significant development.According to police sources, several protesters were added overnight to multiple WhatsApp groups using QR codes. These groups, officials said, were created under different names, some resembling labour unions and worker organisations, giving them an appearance of legitimacy.Investigators believe that these digital networks were used to coordinate fresh gatherings on Tuesday, particularly in Phase-2 and nearby sectors.
‘Provocative messages’ used to escalate protests
Sources said the groups were flooded with provocative and inflammatory messages, allegedly urging members to intensify protests, confront authorities and escalate the situation on the ground.A digital forensic examination of mobile phones seized from detained suspects has reportedly revealed patterns of coordinated messaging. Police suspect that these communications played a key role in rapidly mobilising crowds and amplifying tensions within a short span of time.Officials are now working to trace the origin of these groups, identify administrators and establish whether there was a larger organised attempt behind the mobilisation.
Situation under watch
Police said the situation is being closely monitored, with additional forces deployed across sensitive locations. While protesters were being dispersed from key spots, authorities maintained that strict action would be taken against those involved in violence or attempts to incite unrest.The developments come even as multiple agencies continue to probe Monday’s violence from all angles, including the role of outsiders, misinformation networks and possible coordinated efforts to fuel the agitation.
