Stones pelted, vehicles vandalised as Panipat refinery workers’ protest turns violent

On Monday, February 23, 2026, workers at a refinery in Panipat, Haryana, pelted stones at security personnel and vandalized vehicles during a demonstration in support of their various demands.

When Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel deployed at the refinery asked the protesters to stay in a designated area, some took exception and allegedly resorted to stone-throwing.

Protesting workers, some with sticks in their hands, overturned and damaged several parked vehicles.

Police were called due to tension.

Panipat Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhupender Singh, who visited the area to assess the situation, said that after receiving information about stone pelting at the refinery, a police force under the command of the deputy superintendent of police was immediately deployed there.

“We have deployed police at the refinery and the situation is peaceful,” he said.

Asked if the CISF had fired warning shots in the air to disperse the workers, he said the police had received information that one or two shots had been fired.

Earlier, Panipat City Deputy Superintendent of Police Rajbir Singh said that the workers were protesting in support of their demands expressed with the contractor.

The workers’ demands include eight-hour fixed duty, basic amenities such as toilets and water near the work site, timely payment of wages and transportation facilities at the work site.

Later, a meeting was held between worker representatives and refinery officials.