Labour Activists Picked Up by Noida Police After Wage Protest in Hosiery Complex

Noida- Four activists Rupesh, Aakriti, Srishti, and Manisha (including three women) were picked up by Uttar Pradesh Police personnel from the Botanical Garden Metro Station on April 11 while returning from a workers' demonstration in the Noida Industrial Area demanding wage increases.

The activists had participated in protests by garment and hosiery workers at the Hosiery Complex in Noida Phase 2. These protests occurred on April 10–11, following the Haryana government's announcement of a 35% increase in minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled workers effective April 1. Workers in Noida demanded similar wage parity, leading to demonstrations that caused temporary traffic disruptions. Some reports mentioned stone-pelting and police deployment during the protests.

Organisers alleged that the four were taken in a UP Police vehicle (registration UP32FG3877) and claimed they were subsequently brought to the Noida Phase 2 police station. More than 50 workers and relatives gathered at the station to inquire about their whereabouts and submitted a missing persons complaint along with vehicle details, but received no confirmation from officials at the time.

Labour Rights Collective Mazdoor Bigul said in a statement, " It has been 17 hours since the 4 activists are missing (including 3 women) and there is fear of danger to their lives. We appeal all the sensitive and conscientious mediapersons to cover this serious issue, reach Noida phase 2 police station, and create Pressure on the UP police to safely release the abducted activists. "