Workers clashed with factory owners in a hosiery complex and set ablaze vehicles, prompting authorities to deploy the PAC in the area on Wednesday, the first day of the two-day nationwide strike called by trade unions.
Fourteen persons were arrested in connection with the violence resorted to by protesters. From Sector 82 to the Greater Noida entry point, which is the industrial belt, workers set ablaze cars, a bus and a fire engine, the police said. An industrialist said, “People just barged in, looted everything in sight and even tore our registers.”
ADGP Arun Kumar told reporters in Lucknow that the arrested persons would be booked for damage to public property and would be served notice for damages.
However, the UP government denied that any trade union leader had died and maintained there was no firing by the police. “The cops used only rubber bullets to disperse the mob,” he said.
Mr Kumar said about half a dozen cases had been registered and more would be registered if the victims wanted. He said six to seven cars, including a fire tender and a police jeep, were damaged in Wednesday’s violence.
Mr Arun Kumar said in reply to a question that additional reinforcements had reached Noida and those who wished to open their factories on Thursday would be given full protection.
He said that since the call was for a strike in the government sector, the officials did not anticipate that the protesters would also target the unorganised private sector. The UP government has ordered a probe by an additional commissioner and appointed a two-member high-level committee which will submit its report in three days.