Noida erupts: Cars torched, stones hurled as workers’ pay protest turns violent

A massive protest by factory workers in Uttar Pradesh’s Noida turned violent on Monday morning, as demands for higher wages and better working conditions spiralled into arson, vandalism, and clashes with police.

The unrest erupted in the Phase 2 industrial area, particularly around the Hosiery Complex, where thousands of workers had been staging demonstrations for the past few days. Watch the video below:

What began as a peaceful agitation quickly escalated, with protesters torching vehicles, damaging property, and pelting stones at security forces.

Visuals from the spot showed thick plumes of smoke rising from burning cars, shattered windshields, and a police vehicle being attacked by an agitated mob.

Authorities said at least one car was set ablaze, while several others were vandalised during the violence.

Police rushed reinforcements to the area, including personnel from the Provincial Armed Constabulary, in an attempt to bring the situation under control.

Tear gas shells were reportedly used to disperse the crowd as tensions escalated.

The protests have severely disrupted daily life in Noida, with major roads blocked and traffic grinding to a halt across key stretches, including Sector 62 and the Chilla border.

Commuters were left stranded for hours during peak office time, triggering widespread chaos on the first working day of the week.

The workers’ agitation is rooted in demands for a salary hike, timely payments, overtime compensation, and improved labour conditions.

A key trigger has been the demand for wage parity with neighbouring Haryana, where minimum wages were recently increased significantly, intensifying discontent among Noida’s industrial workforce.

Adding to tensions, reports suggest that the protests intensified after a worker was injured during clashes a day earlier, further fuelling anger on the ground.

In response, the Noida administration had earlier announced a set of measures, including weekly offs, double pay for overtime, and medical coverage, in an attempt to pacify workers.

However, the assurances appear to have done little to immediately calm the situation.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said that workers must receive their due rights and that industries must comply with labour laws.

At the same time, he directed officials to take strict action against “anti-social elements” allegedly trying to incite violence during the protests.

Authorities said the situation remains tense but is gradually being brought under control, even as security continues to be tightened across the industrial belt.