New Delhi: A protest by factory workers across Noida’s industrial belt turned violent on Monday (April 13) leading to the demonstrators pelting stones, smashing vehicles and setting some of them on fire, reported Indian Express.Monday’s violence was preceded by two days of dharnas by contractual labour outside factories, following which the Uttar Pradesh government had announced a series of measures for workers’ welfare, including mandatory double overtime pay and timely wages on Saturday (April 11).According to the police, it is still unclear what had resulted in the violent protests on Monday, with Uttar Pradesh director general of police (DGP) Rajeev Krishna claiming that the “provocative elements” and “external elements” involved in the violence were being traced, and “firm legal action will follow once their identities are established”.While expressing solidarity with the protesting workers, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath asked them to be “wary of those who incite unrest”.“When the state is progressing towards development and peace, some people are conspiring to spread unrest. Be cautious of those trying to create industrial unrest and do not let them succeed.I appeal to all entrepreneurs to maintain direct dialogue with workers. Our government stands with workers; it will provide security to entrepreneurs and protection to labourers, while ensuring fair wages,” said Adityanath.A high-level committee was constituted by the state Labour Department to resolve the dispute between workers and industries.Indian Express cited a senior police officer and reported that between 40,000 and 45,000 workers flooded the streets on Monday evening at more than 80 locations in the industrial areas of Noida’s Phase 2 and Sectors 60, 62, and 84. The official told the newspaper that more than 60 people had been detained and seven FIRs had been registered at various police stations.Meanwhile, the protesting workers spoke about the difficult working conditions and financial distress which brought them to the streets.“My wages increased by a mere Rs 320… They force us to work at night. If we are unwell, they say don’t come next time. If we refuse to work on Sundays, they threaten to fire us,” Surendra Kashyap, 18, an apparel worker told Indian Express.Other workers too stated that the extra working hours and less wages have left them helpless.“I earn Rs 13,500 – I save nothing and I can’t send any money home. I pay Rs 5,000 rent for my room, and spend Rs 4,000 on rations. How can I manage with this income? How will I send my children to school?” Rahul, 25, a worker in a company that makes clothes for export told the newspaper.On Monday, the stone-pelting and vandalism which started during the morning rush hour led to several major roads being blocked in Noida, with traffic jams continuing until the evening.Following the violent protests in Noida, the state government approved an increase in minimum wages across all categories, reported Economic Times.However, prior to the protests, chief minister Adityanath had issued a a statement after a high-level review meeting in Lucknow on Sunday night, invoking a Naxalism angle and alleging a conspiracy.“Desh mein naxalvaad ab lagbhag samaapti ki sthiti mein hai, kintu ise punarjeevit karne ke prayas ek badi saazish ka hissa ho sakte hain. Haal hi ke kuch pradarshanon mein bhraamak evam vighatanakari tatvon ke shamil hone ki aashanka hai (Naxalism in the country is now nearly finished, but attempts to revive it could be part of a larger conspiracy. There is a possibility that misleading and disruptive elements were involved in some recent protests),” Adityanath had said in a statement late on Sunday night, reported Indian Express.Meanwhile, Haryana too saw thousands of workers protesting in Palwal and Faridabad on Monday, alleging that factory managements had not issued any notification on the minimum wage hike announced by the Haryana government last week, reported Hindustan Times.Around 7,500 workers participated in the protests, according to district administration officials.“A notification has been issued by the Government of Haryana regarding an increase in the minimum remuneration for different categories of workers across the state, effective April 1, 2026, for their benefit. The new applicable rates are effective from April 1, 2026, which will directly benefit thousands of unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers in the district,” deputy commissioner Faridabad posted on X on Tuesday.