Noida Workers’ Protest Mastermind Aditya Anand’s Close Associate Held As Crackdown Continues

Police said the accused was actively involved in orchestrating provocative acts and violent incidents during labour sit-ins held in Noida

Workers held violent protests in Noida over wage hike. (PTI)

Noida Police have tightened the noose around those behind the violent workers’ protest in the district, arresting a close aide of the alleged mastermind, Aditya Anand, officials said on Monday.

Acting under the directions of Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, a team from Phase-2 police station of the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police arrested two accused for their alleged role in inciting violence during labour demonstrations.

The arrested men have been identified as Himanshu Thakur and Satyam Verma.

Police said the duo was actively involved in orchestrating provocative acts and violent incidents during labour sit-ins held in the commissionerate area. A case in connection with the unrest had earlier been registered at Phase-2 police station.

Special teams were formed to track down the accused, who had been evading arrest. Following sustained surveillance, including electronic and technical monitoring, both men were detained on April 19 after questioning at Phase-2 police station.

Investigators revealed that both Himanshu Thakur and Satyam Verma were active members of the ‘Bigul Mazdoor Dasta’.

On the day of the violence, Himanshu was present in Noida and remained in constant touch with Aditya Anand, who police have identified as the key conspirator behind the protests.

The arrests come days after the Gautam Buddh Nagar Police, along with the Special Task Force, nabbed Aditya Anand from Tiruchirappalli Railway Station.

Anand, who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh, had been absconding since the violence erupted. A non-bailable warrant had also been issued against him by a local court.

Police said Anand played a central role in mobilising workers, provoking unrest and inciting violence during the labour movement in the Gautam Buddh Nagar area.

Raids were conducted across multiple states before he was finally traced and arrested in Tamil Nadu.

Further legal proceedings against all the accused are currently underway, police officials added.

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