Bharat Bandh: Two-day trade union strike turns violent in Noida, UP; 14 arrested

The nation-wide strike on the call of central trade unions turned violent in Noida as workers indulged in loot and damage of property at a hosiery complex and set ablaze several vehicles leading to the arrest of 14 of them.

Workers went on a rampage in Noida Phase 2 area and damaged industrial properties. The employees damaged several vehicles including a fire engine and police jeep this morning, ADG Law and Order Arun Kumar said here.

The government has directed the Meerut commissioner to get the matter probed by an additional commissioner level officer, he added.

Refuting allegations that the violence erupted after one person was lynched and police indulged in firing and lathi charge, the ADG said the strike which was primarily aimed at government sector also got to spread to the unorganised private sector in Noida.

"Only rubber bullets were fired to disperse the mob," he said.

Admitting that since all focus was on the government sector, Kumar said deployment of the force at the particular point in Noida where trouble erupted was less compared to other places.

Senior officials and additional enforcement from Bulandshahr and Ghaziabad have been sent to control the situation, he added.

The ADG said so far 14 people have been arrested in connection with the incidents in Noida and efforts were on to ascertain as to which trade union they are attached with.

"Some of the looted hosiery material has also been recovered," he said.

Cases are being lodged by individual factories which were at the receiving end of the trouble, the ADG said adding, action would also be taken under Damage to Public Property Act and notices would be served for realisation of financial damages.

Since the strike would continue tomorrow also, the ADG said every effort is being made to ensure that industrial activities in Noida are not hampered and such an incident is not allowed to recur.

... contd.

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