Pakistan link to Noida protests confirmed: 2 Pak-based X accounts spread fake death claims to trigger labour violence, blames police

Noida police alleged that two Pakistani-run social media accounts on X played a major role in the April 13 labor protest turning violent by spreading false information about multiple deaths during the demonstrations, according to TOI. Accounts named “Anushi Tiwari (Proud Indian)” and “Meer Ilyas Inc” allegedly posted claims designed to provoke workers demanding pay parity with neighboring Haryana. Police said information received from X confirmed that both accounts were operated from Pakistan using a VPN. An FIR has been registered at Sector 20 police station.

Mobilization group on the ground for Noida protests

According to TOI, police are simultaneously investigating the role of a group called ‘Mazdoor Bigul Dasta’. Three people (Rupeesh Roy, Manisha Chauhan and Aditya Anand) are suspected of creating multiple WhatsApp groups using QR codes around 2 am on April 10. Over 800 members were quickly added to each group, mostly workers from large industrial units such as Motherson and Richa Industries. These groups were formed soon after Haryana announced a 35% increase in the minimum wage, triggering similar demands in Uttar Pradesh.

TOI.in

Manisha Chauhan and Aditya Anand (Left) and Rupeesh Roy (Right).

Noida protests against key accused and their past

Rupeesh Roy and Manisha Chauhan were arrested on April 11. Aditya Anand, a BTech graduate from NIT Jamshedpur and a resident of Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, is still at large. Police told TOI that Anand was earlier involved in mobilizing protesters during the anti-CAA/NRC agitation. Roy was also allegedly linked to the Manesar labor protest, which took place before Haryana’s wage hike decision.

Police Chief’s statement

Commissioner of Police Laxmi Singh described the violence against TOI as a “coordinated attempt” to disrupt law and order by combining online misinformation with mobilization on the ground. So far, 13 FIRs have been registered and 62 accused have been sent to court. Police did not rule out invoking the National Security Act (NSA) against some of the accused. The protests began on April 10, when workers from various industrial sectors took to the streets to demand pay parity with their counterparts in Haryana.