Activists Condemn Illegal Arrests in Noida Workers' Protests

Activists and legal advocates have strongly criticized the Uttar Pradesh police for conducting illegal and extrajudicial arrests during the recent workers' protests in Noida. Following violent incidents on April 13, 2026, police detained over 350 individuals, alleging involvement of external elements and political conspiracies. However, during a media briefing at the Press Club of India, lawyers argued that these mass detentions violated fundamental legal rights. Key irregularities cited include the failure to provide arrest memos, grounds for arrest, or copies of First Information Reports (FIRs) to the detainees. Furthermore, only seven FIRs were registered against the hundreds of arrested workers, often without naming specific individuals. Advocates also reported that lawyers attempting to meet the detained were themselves held in custody, and families were not informed of the arrests. Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves asserted that this police action was a tactic to divert attention from government failures regarding fair wages and working conditions. The activists firmly denied police claims linking the protests to political parties or foreign entities, maintaining that the unrest was driven solely by labor demands.