Tear gas used against Noida workers demanding higher wages amid rising costs

Police in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, deployed tear gas to disperse factory workers protesting for higher wages after the demonstration turned violent on its fourth day. Vehicles were set ablaze and stones were thrown as tensions escalated. Local police stated that they used 'minimum force' to maintain order, while Uttar Pradesh lawmaker Narendra Kashyap urged protesters to engage in dialogue with the government regarding their demands.

Gautam Budh Nagar police reported ongoing efforts by senior officials to counsel workers and encourage peaceful resolution. Visuals from the protest showed large groups of workers marching and chanting slogans, with security personnel in anti-riot gear monitoring the situation. The protests were sparked by rising living costs linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, which has disrupted fuel supplies. In a related development, similar protests in Haryana led to a government mandate for a 35 percent increase in minimum wages.

Vinay Mahoti, a 30-year-old worker from Bihar, articulated the demands of the protesters, stating, 'Duty hours should be fixed, overtime hours should be paid, and companies should adhere to the guidelines laid by the federal government.' Noida, a significant industrial hub, houses thousands of factories, making the outcome of these protests critical for labor relations in the region.