Uttar Pradesh Police have said that the recent violent protests by factory workers in Noida were a “planned and multi-layered conspiracy” orchestrated with the help of two Pakistan-based social media accounts, which spread false claims of deaths in police firing.
In a press conference on Thursday, Police Commissioner Lakshmi Singh said the unrest, which began as a demand for higher wages, was hijacked by external elements. She confirmed that the situation has now returned to normal, with workers satisfied by the Uttar Pradesh government’s decisions and back at their jobs.
“The labourers are content with the decisions of the UP government and they have returned to work,” Commissioner Singh stated. “There is peace in Noida for the last two days. Police did flag marches and picket duty; all business units have opened and the labourers have started working in different shifts.”
VIDEO | Noida violence: Gautam Buddh Nagar police commissioner Laxmi Singh informs labours are content with the decisions of the UP government, and they have returned to work, however attempts were made to spread false narrative through two X handles operated from Pakistan,… pic.twitter.com/ICtD2a9VgU
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The UP government accepted the recommendations of a high-level committee, increasing wages and announcing the formation of a wage board. Once these measures were communicated to the workers, they ended their protest, she added.
However, on 13 April a group attempted to incite violence. Police brought the situation under control, but two X handles then began circulating disinformation claiming multiple deaths in police firing. “We got it verified and found that the two X handles are being operated from Pakistan. VPN is being misused,” she said.
The police officer added, “Two cases have been registered. I appeal to people not to believe such disinformation and to cooperate with us.”
Investigations identified three key conspirators, Rupesh Rai, Manisha Chauhan and Aditya Anand. Rai and Chauhan have been arrested, while Anand remains absconding. Police said the trio had been actively involved in inciting crowds and had links to previous agitations across the country. According to the police, these three were not only present in Noida but also played an active role in inciting the workers and provoking the mob.
The plot was reportedly hatched on 31 March and 1 April, with organisers using QR codes to add people to WhatsApp groups on 9 and 10 April. Protests started on 10 April, roads were blocked on 11 April, and tensions escalated again on 13 April when a large crowd gathered outside a company.
The two X handles, operated from Pakistan for nearly three months under names including Meer Ilayasi and Ayushi Tiwari, played a central role in amplifying the unrest. They circulated fake news of the death of several workers in police firing, causing an escalation in protests.
Thirteen FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence, and 62 people have been arrested so far, most of whom were outsiders rather than local workers. Central agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau and Anti-Terrorism Squad, are assisting with the probe into the Pakistan link.
Authorities have said that strict action, including possible invocation of the National Security Act, will be taken against those involved. Industrial areas in Noida, including Phase-2, have seen heightened security with intensified patrolling.
The episode began as wage-related protests by factory workers, but according to police, it was deliberately escalated into violence and vandalism by a coordinated network.
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced an increase in minimum wages for labourers and proposed the formation of a Wage Board to address future disputes.
