Days after the violent protests in Noida where industrial units and offices were attacked, investigators have traced a coordinated social media network that flammed tensions and instigated violence.
As per reports, a WhatsApp group named ‘X Storm’ with 274 members has been identified. Police say that it was specifically created to circulate provocative videos and misinformation during the labour agitation. Aditya Anand is said to be the administrator and creator of the group.
🔴#BREAKING | Social media group 'X Storm' with 274 members created Noida unrest as more revelations unravel; Content aimed to fuel online unrest
— NDTV (@ndtv) April 21, 2026
NDTV's @AaquilJameel joins @VedikaS with more details pic.twitter.com/B8QlzLbfRi
The WhatsApp group was found after the interrogation of Aditya Anand, a key suspect arrested for his involvement in the April 13 clashes. The protests started as peaceful demonstration by workers demanding better wages, but it had soon escalated into arson, stone pelting and assault incidents where some industrial units and offices were attacked by violent mobs and vehicles were set pn fire.
The police have stated that the ‘X Storm’ WhatsApp group played a central role in amplifying unverified content and mobilising unrest through social media. Officials suspect organised coordination involving multiple WhatsApp groups to spread inflammatory material and provoke wider disorder.
Other members of this group are being tracked, and digital evidence is being examined to determine whether any external factors were involved in planning and orchestration of the violence.
A Special Task Force of the Noida Police on Saturday, 18th April had arrested Aditya Anand, who is accused of orchestrating the April 13 workers’ violent protest in Noida, from Tiruchirappalli railway station in Tamil Nadu. A joint team of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissionerate and the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) made the arrest.
