Noida Police Uncover Foreign-Linked Social Media Activity in Labor Agitation
In a significant development, Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh revealed that technical inputs from social media platform X indicated at least two handles were continuously operated from Pakistan. Their internet connectivity, IP addresses, and activity patterns strongly suggest a foreign origin, with VPNs employed to mask identities, complicating the investigation.
WhatsApp Groups and Mobilization Under Scrutiny
Police are also examining the role of a group called ‘Mazdoor Bigul Dasta’, whose members allegedly mobilized workers and provoked violence. Rupesh Rai, Manisha Chauhan, and Aditya Anand are under investigation for creating multiple WhatsApp groups via QR codes around 2 am on April 10, shortly after the Haryana government announced a 35% rise in minimum wages. Each group reportedly had over 800 members, including workers from major industrial units such as Motherson and Richa Industries.
Officials suspect these groups were used to rapidly circulate messages and draw workers into the agitation. The roles of Rai, Chauhan, and others are under intense scrutiny as part of the broader probe.
Legal Actions and Investigations Intensify
So far, 13 FIRs have been lodged, and 1,140 people have been sent to jail across the commissionerate’s three zones. Of these, 70 have been identified as active rioters allegedly involved in vandalism and disruption, while the rest were detained on-site for breach of peace. Additional Commissioner of Police Rajeev Narayan Mishra stated that CCTV footage is being meticulously analysed to fix individual roles. He added, “Anyone found involved in arson, vandalism, or instigation is being added to the main cases.”
Restoration of Order and Economic Impact
The city has remained peaceful for the past two days, with flag marches and heavy patrolling helping restore order. Industrial units have resumed operations, aided by the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to raise wages by 21%. This move is seen as a crucial step in mitigating further unrest and stabilizing the local economy.
Police continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of maintaining law and order while addressing the underlying issues that sparked the protests.
