Violent Clash Erupts at AM/NS India Plant in Surat as L&T Workers Protest for Better Wages
In a dramatic turn of events, more than 2,000 contract workers employed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) staged a massive and violent protest at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) facility located in Hajira village, Surat. The workers were demanding significant improvements in their wages and overall working conditions, leading to a chaotic scene that required police intervention.
Police Response and Arrests Following Escalating Violence
As the protest quickly turned violent, local law enforcement was called to the scene. The police resorted to using tear gas shells, firing a total of 35 rounds in an effort to disperse the agitated mob. According to official reports, at least 20 workers were arrested on the spot, and proceedings have been initiated to lodge a First Information Report (FIR) against them for their involvement in the unrest.
Senior police officials, including DCP Zone-7 Shaifali Barwal, ACP Sweta Daniels, and Hajira Police Inspector VL Parmar, rushed to the location to manage the volatile situation. Despite attempts to negotiate and calm the protesters, the workers began pelting stones at the police force, prompting the use of tear gas to regain control.
Damage and Inspiration Behind the Protest
DCP Shaifali Barwal provided details to the media, stating, "We came to know that 10 vehicles were damaged in the violence by the mob, and 1 car was set on fire. We detained 20 workers against whom an FIR is being filed. The protest was inspired by the Panipat workers’ protest going on for the last 2 days." This revelation indicates that the Surat workers were motivated by viral videos of similar demonstrations at the IOCL refinery in Panipat, which have been circulating online over the past three days.
Company Statements and Worker Deployment
AM/NS India confirmed that the protesting individuals were contract workers from L&T, deployed across various plants within the AM/NS India campus in Hajira. In the aftermath of the violent protests, L&T issued an official statement addressing the workers' concerns. The company assured that it would implement the Gujarat government's new labour code notifications once they are officially rolled out, aiming to address the grievances related to wages and working conditions.
This incident highlights ongoing labour disputes in the industrial sector, particularly among contract workers seeking better compensation and safety standards. The use of police force and subsequent arrests underscore the tensions between worker demands and corporate responses in Gujarat's manufacturing landscape.
