A tailor working at a fabric manufacturing unit in Noida's Sector 63 was arrested on Saturday for allegedly setting vehicles on fire during the workers' unrest that erupted across the city last month. Police claimed that the accused, Naresh Kumar (45), instigated workers to resort to violence and set ablaze several vehicles parked near a car showroom in the area.
Background of the Protests
The factory workers' protest began on April 10 in the Phase 2 area after the Haryana government raised wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled workers by 35%. The demonstration remained peaceful for three days before turning violent on April 13, when more than 100 factories were vandalised and vehicles torched across the district. Near Vipul Motors, vehicles were damaged before being set ablaze. Several vehicles in a car showroom, Vipul Motors, were allegedly set on fire during the workers' protest on April 13.
Investigation and Arrest
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the violence found that Kumar had entered his factory, Mahavira Company, on the day of the protest, incited workers to strike, joined sloganeering demonstrations outside the factory, and later reached outside Vipul Motors where he and associates allegedly set parked vehicles on fire. A statement issued by the police said several vehicles were smashed by workers using iron pipes in a premeditated manner before being torched. Kumar was identified through technical surveillance and arrested on Saturday, police said. Investigators said documents related to labour unions were recovered from his mobile phone, and alleged he may have played a role in labour protests in Manesar held earlier in April.
After the incident, Kumar allegedly attempted to evade arrest by porting his mobile number to another telecom provider. Investigators traced and recovered the device before apprehending him, police said. Kumar, originally from Fatehpur, was residing in the Chotpur area of Noida, police said.
Legal Charges
He has been arrested under BNS sections 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 324(4) (mischief causing damage), 333 (house-trespass), 326(g) (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 125 (acts endangering life or personal safety), 190 (unlawful assembly) and 191(2) (rioting). So far, police have registered over a dozen FIRs at Phase 2, Sector 63 and other stations, and arrested more than 50 people for alleged roles in inciting the violence.
