Gurgaon Highway Blocked in Wage Protest, Police File Case Against Unidentified Workers
In a significant disruption to traffic, police in Palwal have registered a case against unidentified persons following a protest by employees of a private company who blocked the Delhi-Agra National Highway (NH-19) demanding a salary hike. The incident, which occurred on Monday, led to a complete halt of traffic for nearly two hours, causing substantial inconvenience to commuters amid rising temperatures.
Protest Details and Police Response
The protest took place around 9 am near Prithla, where a large number of workers gathered on the highway, blocked the road, raised slogans, and staged a demonstration. The employees were demanding wages in line with government-mandated norms, citing that their long-pending demand and inadequate pay had made it difficult to manage household expenses.
Traffic resumed only after teams from Gadpuri police station, along with senior officers, reached the spot and persuaded the protesters to disperse. The Palwal city magistrate also met with the workers, assuring them that the order on minimum wages would be ensured per government norms soon.
Legal Action and Investigation
According to an officer, the case was initiated based on a complaint filed by a constable posted at Gadpuri police station. The accused have been booked under sections 190 (unlawful assembly), 191(2) (rioting), and 285 (causing danger or obstruction in public ways or lines of navigation) of the BNS, along with provisions of the Highway Act.
"No arrests have been made yet," the officer added, noting that efforts are underway to locate the individuals using CCTV footage. Further action will be taken once the accused are identified.
Separate Incident in Faridabad
Meanwhile, in a related development in Faridabad, police on Tuesday removed employees staging a sit-in protest over a wage hike outside a company office in Sector 37. The demonstration began at 7 am and continued until 2 pm.
Police officers attempted to persuade the employees to call off the protest, but they refused. Following this, senior police officers intervened, assured them that their demands would be met, and cleared the area. Around 20 to 25 employees were detained during the operation but were released later, according to an officer.
While the protesting employees alleged that police forcibly removed them and were trying to suppress their demands, police maintained that their action was necessary to maintain law and order. No case was registered in this matter at the time of reporting.
These incidents highlight ongoing labor disputes in the region, with workers pushing for better wages amid economic pressures, while authorities balance protest rights with public safety concerns.
