Ground report: Noida clashes shift to housing societies as maids protest for wage hike

The unrest over minimum wages in Noida’s industrial areas has now spilled over to high-rise residential societies. Even before the violence in factories on Monday had subsided, chaos erupted outside the Cleo County society in Sector 121 on Tuesday morning (Apil 14). Hundreds of domestic helpers boycotted work and took to the streets in protest. What began as a demonstration demanding higher wages and a weekly day off soon escalated into stone-pelting and a police lathi-charge. The police are not treating the incident as a coincidence, but as part of a “larger conspiracy” to disturb the city’s peace.

Protest begins at 7 am

Tuesday morning in Cleo County, a posh society in Sector 121, was anything but routine. Around 7 am, domestic helpers gathered at the society gate but refused to enter. Reports suggest that a few women were already present there, allegedly urging others to demand higher wages and preventing them from going to work. This soon turned into a protest over wage hikes and weekly leave. Protesters said they would not resume work until their demands were met. However, when one of the maids participating in the protest was asked about this, she denied claims that anyone had instigated the group.

Also read: Noida protests: Police say ‘outsiders’ tried to incite unrest; several detained

As time passed, the crowd swelled to around 400 to 500 people. Eyewitnesses said that during the protest, a few youths suddenly started pelting stones at a bus parked nearby, pushing the situation out of control. A heavy police and paramilitary presence was deployed, and force was used to restore order. Allegations have been made that the police resorted to a lathi-charge without warning, triggering panic as people ran into nearby lanes to escape.

Voices of domestic workers

Babli, who has been working as a cook and cleaner in the society for nearly eight years, shared her struggles. She said that while inflation has soared, their wages have remained stagnant.

“We earn only Rs 2,500-3,000 per household. We have to visit each house twice a day, and each visit takes at least 2 to 2.5 hours. How can anyone survive on such low pay? When we ask for a raise, the madams threaten us—either leave the job or we’ll hire someone else and even falsely accuse you of theft,” she said.

Also read: Noida wage protests escalate, fresh clashes erupt, stones pelted at police

When asked whether the protest had been pre-planned or instigated by someone, Babli denied any external influence. She said all the workers were facing the same issues of low pay and rising expenses, and that is why they collectively gathered at the society gate and began protesting.

The anger was not just about wages but also about police action. Locals and workers alleged that the police not only beat those on the streets but also entered homes and assaulted people who were resting after night shifts. Drivers like Sunil and Sagar showed injuries allegedly caused by police batons, claiming they were on their way to work when they were beaten without any questioning. Protesters also expressed outrage over reports that a pregnant woman was injured and fainted during the lathi-charge, further escalating tensions. However, when asked about her identity or residence, none of the protesters could provide details.

‘Digital conspiracy’ and misleading videos on social media

The Noida Police see this incident as a continuation of the unrest in industrial areas. According to DCP (Women) Shaivya Goyal, videos of the incident are being misleadingly circulated on social media. Clips from the same location are being shared as if they are from three different places in Noida, allegedly to create panic.

Also read: Noida unrest: ‘Who gave cops the right to beat us', ask workers even as UP hikes wages

Police suspect that the protest was not entirely spontaneous but influenced by anti-social elements who provoked the workers. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) is now examining digital footprints, as more than 50 new social media accounts were reportedly created in the past 24 hours to amplify misleading narratives.

Several detained by police

Police have detained several suspects from Sector 121 and nearby areas. Security has been tightened around affected societies, and traffic diversions have been put in place. Officials say they do not intend to use force against any group and are looking to resolve the situation through dialogue. However, the way the unrest has spread from factories to residential societies has posed a new and complex challenge for the administration.

(This article was originally published in The Federal Desh)