Police probe conspiracy behind Noida unrest
Demands for higher wages by workers in Noida descended into chaos on Monday as protests across the district’s industrial belts spiralled into arson, vandalism and stone-pelting, bringing the city to a standstill on Tuesday. Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police have now launched parallel investigations pointing to a deeper conspiracy: the hand of “Outsiders, organised misinformation campaigns, possible Pakistan-backed destabilisation, and even a bid to revive Naxalism”.
“During the investigation, it came to light that an organised group was involved in instigating the protesters in a systematic way,” Singh said. He added, the police have identified over 50 new social media accounts and WhatsApp groups using QR codes for mobilisation. Two X (formerly Twitter) handles face cases for spreading rumours, and a Special Task Force is probing funding trails.
Gautam Budh Nagar police have lodged nine FIRs for arson, vandalism, and stone-pelting, and social media handles spreading rumours of deaths and injuries. Over 350 people have been detained.
“After the labourers dispersed peacefully, a group from outside arrived and moved around attempting to incite tension and violence,” Commissioner of Police, Singh stated. “Some have been taken into custody and the rest are being identified.” Anti-social elements, she added, escalated the situation once the core workforce had stepped back.
What began as a peaceful agitation by factory workers demanding a wage hike on par with neighbouring Haryana quickly drew an estimated 40,000-45,000 participants across 80-83 locations, including Sectors 62, Phase-2, 60, 63, 84 and parts of Greater Noida. By 9:30 am, roads were blocked, the Noida Expressway choked, and key arteries like NH-9 turned into parking lots. Police deployed nearly 3,000 personnel. While most workers dispersed after initial counselling, violence erupted in pockets.
As arrests continue and digital trails are followed, police sources say the investigation is shifting from street violence to the command-and-control network that allegedly hijacked a wage protest. Whether it was local anti-social elements, coordinated bots or cross-border handlers, officials are clear: Monday’s mayhem was no spontaneous outburst. The genuine anger of Noida’s factory workers has been weaponised, they allege and the full extent of that conspiracy is now under the microscope.
The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) is tracing digital footprints. Investigators have flagged over 50 bot accounts created within 24 hours that amplified inflammatory content and false narratives. Two FIRs target these rumour mills. Police are also probing funding sources and links to earlier labour-related arrests in Manesar.
Uttar Pradesh Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar called the violence a “well-planned conspiracy” to disrupt law and order and industrial growth. Agencies are now examining a possible Pakistan link, citing the recent arrests of four suspected terrorists in Meerut and Noida who were in contact with handlers across the border. “In such a situation, the possibility of a conspiracy to create instability gains strength” Rajbhar said, adding that anti-national forces could be attempting to exploit worker unrest.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath did not mince words and warned of a potential Naxal revival. “Naxalism is at the point of elimination, but attempts to revive it could be part of a larger conspiracy,” he said. “Some protests may have involved misleading and disruptive elements” posing as labour representatives. The chief minister said that he has directed intensified intelligence gathering in industrial zones and strongest action possible against infiltrators.
Despite the chaos, the state Government moved swiftly on the workers’ core demands. Four of five key demands including wage revision, weekly offs and grievance cells have been accepted. A high-powered committee comprising labour, MSME and industry officials has been formed to resolve remaining issues. Late-night meetings with over 2,500 workers were held even as the probe intensified to identify the real faces behind the planned conspiracy to instigate violence in the neighbourhood of India’s national capital.
