Surat: 40 Workers Arrested After Violent Clash at AM/NS Steel Plant in Hazira
At least 40 workers have been arrested in connection with the violent clashes that erupted at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) facility in Hazira, Surat, on Thursday. The incident, which began as a peaceful gathering of L&T workers demanding better wages and working conditions, quickly escalated into a full-scale confrontation with police forces.
Violence Erupts During Wage Protest
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by Hazira police, the situation began around 9:36 AM when a large group of L&T workers gathered at the AM/NS campus. Their demands included higher wages, implementation of eight-hour shifts, double pay for overtime work, improved drinking water facilities, cleaner toilets, and permission to carry mobile phones at the workplace.
Hazira police inspector responded to the scene with personnel and attempted to pacify the workers. Company security staff also tried to persuade the gathering to disperse peacefully. However, the situation turned violent when workers allegedly began pelting stones and iron pipes at police personnel.
Police Response Escalates as Mob Turns Violent
By 11:47 AM, the inspector alerted the control room requesting reinforcements as the mob had gone out of control. Additional forces from Ichhapore and Pal police stations were immediately rushed to the location. Senior officers including Assistant Commissioner of Police Sweta Daniels and Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone-7 Shaifali Barwal also arrived with backup forces.
As heavy stone-pelting continued unabated, police initially responded by lobbing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The FIR details how the situation deteriorated further when the mob attacked a police van and allegedly snatched a hand grenade from the police inspector before throwing it into a vehicle. This resulted in severe burn injuries to two policemen.
DCP Barwal and two other police personnel also sustained injuries during the violence. As the mob began damaging and torching police and other vehicles, police escalated their response significantly.
Extensive Police Action to Restore Order
To bring the volatile situation under control, police fired 10 rounds in the air, deployed 36 tear gas shells, and used four hand grenades. The arrested workers have been booked under multiple charges including attempt to murder, rioting, damage to public property, obstructing government officials from discharging their duties, and unlawful assembly. These charges fall under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Situation Stabilizes with Police Presence
While there was no escalation of violence on Friday, workers began gathering again at the site in the morning. This prompted Surat City Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut to rush to the location along with senior officials. Commissioner Gahlaut appealed to the workers to maintain peace and order.
Speaking about the current situation, Commissioner Gahlaut stated that the environment was now under control and workers had resumed their duties. "We informed the workers that L&T had initiated discussions on their demands regarding wages and working conditions. Adequate police force had been deployed across the campus to maintain law and order," he explained.
The police have maintained a strong presence at the AM/NS Hazira facility to prevent any further outbreaks of violence while negotiations continue between workers and management regarding their longstanding demands.
