Noida: Police on Tuesday said they arrested 396 people in connection with violence during Monday’s labour protests in Noida in which mobs vandalised property and torched cars. Four of those arrested are women.Seven FIRs have been filed at different police stations under BNS sections that include rioting, voluntarily causing hurt, assault or use of criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation, common intention and wrongful restraint.“We have also identified around 50 social media handles involved in spreading misinformation and instigating workers,” police commissioner Laxmi Singh said. “There were attempts to incite arson and violence, especially when police personnel were present at the scene,” she added.On Tuesday, there were isolated reports of protests at a few spots, but industrial areas wore a deserted look amid heavy police presence. It was a holiday at several units because of Ambedkar Jayanti. A police van was vandalised by protesters outside Cleo County in Sector 121, while a group allegedly threw stones at police in Sector 80.Officials said after Monday’s chaos, a comprehensive strategy was put in place to ensure there was no repeat. As part of the security deployment, additional police personnel from 12 districts, including Ghaziabad and Agra, were brought in.To strengthen supervision on the ground, two inspector-rank officers along with a circle officer were assigned to each area while protest sites were barricaded. Drones were also deployed for surveillance. Sources said officials were also in touch with labour unions and representatives of industrial workers to ensure there were no violent protests.Sources said Monday’s mobilisation of workers happened through WhatsApp groups, some of which had more than 700 members. “Several audio clips and chat logs have surfaced, indicating attempts to incite protesters. Some of these communications contained references to use of chilli powder,” a senior police officer said.Sources said they were also investigating a conspiracy to use petrol bombs during the violence.
