Workers gathered once again outside a private company near Sector 8 Jama Masjid on Friday, continuing their protest over demands for a salary hike. Taking note of the sudden escalation of protests, the police reached the spot and tried to calm the agitating crowd. The protest marks a continuation of unrest among labourers in the industrial area, where tensions have been building over wage-related concerns.

At the same time, the police have pointed to a wider dimension behind the recent violence linked to the April 13 labour protest. On Thursday, Noida Police stated that two social media accounts on platform X, allegedly being operated from Pakistan, contributed to escalating tensions. According to officials, these accounts spread misleading information during the protest, including false claims about multiple deaths, which led to further agitation among workers.

The accounts, identified as “Anushi Tiwari (Proud Indian)” and “Meer Ilyas Inc,” were reportedly used to circulate such misinformation. Police said that details received from X suggested both accounts were being run from Pakistan with the help of VPNs. This raised concerns about the role of digital platforms in influencing on-ground events and creating panic among workers. Following these findings, an FIR has been registered at the Sector 20 police station, as reported by ToI.

Alongside the online angle, investigators are also examining the involvement of a group named Mazdoor Bigul Dasta. The group is suspected of actively mobilising workers and contributing to the unrest. Police believe that members of this group played a key role in organising protests and encouraging workers to join the agitation.

According to the investigation, three individuals — Rupeesh Roy, Manisha Chauhan, and Aditya Anand — were central to these mobilisation efforts. It is alleged that they created multiple WhatsApp groups using QR codes around 2 am on April 10. This activity took place shortly after Haryana announced a 35% increase in minimum wages. Investigators took a serious note of the timing of these actions, who see a possible link between the wage announcement and the protests in Noida.

Each of these WhatsApp groups reportedly included more than 800 members. The groups had workers from major industrial units such as Motherson and Richa Industries. This large-scale digital network is believed to have helped in spreading messages quickly and bringing together workers from different factories for coordinated protests.

Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh provided further details about the accused individuals. She said that the trio did not belong to Noida and had arrived in the city on March 31. During their stay, they allegedly conducted meetings with workers across various industrial areas. They are also believed to have played a role in the April 10 protest, where workers demanded wage parity with those in Haryana.

Action has already been taken against some of the accused. Rupeesh Roy and Manisha Chauhan were arrested on April 11. However, Aditya Anand is still absconding, and efforts are ongoing to locate him. Anand is a BTech graduate from NIT Jamshedpur and comes from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. Police suspect that he may have been involved in earlier protest movements as well, including those linked to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Rupeesh Roy, who is also from Hazaribagh, works as an auto driver. According to police, he had previously been involved in the Manesar protest, which took place before Haryana’s decision to increase minimum wages. This background is considered relevant in understanding the pattern of mobilisation and protest activity

Further investigation has revealed that the X accounts in question were created by an individual named Yogesh, who is believed to be an associate of Roy. This connection is being examined as part of the broader probe into how online and offline actions were coordinated.

So far, the police have registered 13 FIRs in connection with the case. A total of 62 accused individuals have been sent to judicial custody. Authorities are continuing to investigate the matter and have not ruled out taking stricter action. Police have indicated that the National Security Act (NSA) may be invoked against some of those involved, depending on the findings of the investigation.

Commissioner Singh described the situation as a planned effort to disturb law and order. She stated that the violence appeared to be the result of a coordinated strategy that combined digital misinformation with physical mobilisation on the ground. This dual approach, according to police, made the situation more complex and difficult to control.

The developments highlight the growing role of social media in shaping real-world events. They also raise questions about how misinformation can influence large groups of people, especially in situations where emotions and economic concerns are already high. As the investigation continues, authorities are focusing on both the digital trail and the individuals involved in organising the protests.

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground remains sensitive. With workers continuing their protests and police maintaining a close watch, efforts are ongoing to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy in the affected areas.