Violence at Priyagold unit in Greater Noida: Two FIRs filed, 17 arrested

The violence took place on Thursday night when the two shifts were about to be changed at the Priyagold plant near Udyog Vihar. Workers clashed with the management over an altercation and later ransacked the ground floor and first floor of the building. They also damaged six vehicles parked on the premises.

A day after agitated workers clashed with officials of Priyagold biscuit manufacturing unit in Surajpur and also with police, two FIRs under stringent sections have been registered and 17 workers arrested so far. At least six personnel were injured after workers allegedly pelted stones at the police on Thursday night.

The factory officials said the incident was instigated by “outsiders” who were also seen pelting stones.

The 17 arrested include those named in the FIR and as well as those traced through CCTV footage. The FIRs have been lodged under several IPC sections, including those pertaining to rioting, attempt to murder and acts to endanger life and safety of others.

“The FIR filed by unit officials named seven to eight persons while the others remained unidentified. We are trying to trace them through CCTV footage. The situation is under control and police have been deployed at the unit as a precautionary measure,” said Suniti, superintendent of police (rural).

The violence took place on Thursday night when the two shifts were about to be changed at the Priyagold plant near Udyog Vihar. Workers clashed with the management over an altercation and later ransacked the ground floor and first floor of the building. They also damaged six vehicles parked on the premises.

The factory officials said the incident was instigated by “outsiders” who were also seen pelting stones.

“Those inside the unit attacked our director and we had a tough time trying to save him from the assault. The workers barged in and damaged machinery. The loss is being estimated. The plant will resume operations on Monday. It will be unwise for us to continue employing such workers who indulged in such violent acts,” said DK Tyagi, unit’s general manager.