Noida: What initially appeared to be a spontaneous labour protest over wage hikes in Noida’s Phase-2 Hosiery Complex has now taken a dramatic turn. Police claim the April 13–14 violence—marked by arson, vandalism, and clashes in Noida and Greater Noida—was the result of a premeditated conspiracy involving local operatives and possible foreign-linked digital interference.
Mastermind Identified, Hunt Intensifies
According to investigators, the alleged mastermind is Aditya Anand, a B.Tech graduate from National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur and a native of Hazaribagh. Police say Anand orchestrated the unrest with the help of Rupesh Roy, an auto-rickshaw driver from Bihar, and Manisha Chauhan.
While Roy and Chauhan were arrested earlier this month, Anand remains absconding, prompting multiple police teams to launch continuous raids.
QR Codes, WhatsApp Groups Used to Mobilise Workers
Investigations suggest the groundwork for the protests began weeks in advance. The accused reportedly arrived in Noida around March-end and early April, visiting industrial zones and encouraging workers to scan QR codes.
These codes led to the creation of several WhatsApp groups, where thousands of labourers were added. Police allege that inflammatory messages and coordinated instructions were circulated through these groups, ultimately triggering violence.
Pakistan-Linked ‘Toolkit’ Angle Under Scanner
Noida Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh revealed that alongside the violence, fake news campaigns were actively run on social media.
Cyber Cell investigations have flagged two X (formerly Twitter) accounts—linked to Anushi Tiwari and Mir Iliyas—for spreading misleading videos and false claims, including fabricated reports of worker deaths. Technical analysis indicates that these accounts were allegedly operated from Pakistan.
Officials believe the intent may have been to destabilize industrial activity in one of India’s key manufacturing hubs.
‘External Elements’ Dominated Arrests
In a significant revelation, the Uttar Pradesh government stated that 45 out of 66 people arrested were not workers, pointing to the involvement of “external elements.”
- In arson cases: 11 of 17 identified accused arrested, 8 non-workers
- In incitement cases: 19 of 32 arrested
- 34 non-workers detained for participating in unrest
Authorities have also detained four individuals suspected of planning the events, with their links to organized networks under investigation.
Past Links and Wider Network Probe
Police records suggest Anand has been linked to multiple protest movements since 2020, some of which allegedly turned violent. His presence was also reportedly noted during the CAA-NRC protests in Delhi.
Investigators are now analysing WhatsApp data and digital trails to identify local collaborators and a broader network behind the unrest.
Situation Restored, Industry Back on Track
Officials confirmed that swift action under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath helped bring the situation under control within hours.
Following the announcement of a wage hike, workers and industry stakeholders have resumed operations, and factories across Noida are now functioning normally. Security has been tightened, and authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
Govt Warns of Strict Action
The Uttar Pradesh government has reiterated its zero-tolerance stance, warning that any attempt to disrupt public order or industrial stability will invite strict legal action. Meanwhile, police have urged workers to ignore rumours and rely only on verified information.
Bottom Line: What began as a wage protest now appears to be part of a larger, coordinated attempt to trigger unrest, with investigators probing both domestic and cross-border links.
