Gautam Buddh Nagar Police have arrested a tailor accused of allegedly setting vehicles ablaze during labour unrest in Noida on April 13. The arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the vandalism and arson incidents that occurred across several sectors under the commissionerate.
Tailor Accused of Inciting Strike, Committing Arson
According to police statements, the arrested individual, identified as Naresh Kumar, 45, a resident of Fatehpur and currently residing in Noida’s Chotpur area, was employed as a tailor at Mahavira Company in Sector 63. On April 13, the day of the incident, Kumar allegedly entered the Mahavira Company premises and instigated workers to initiate a strike. He then participated in sloganeering outside the factory.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that following the protest outside the company, Kumar, along with his associates, proceeded towards the area near Vipul Motors in Sector 63. A crowd had reportedly gathered at this location, and it was here that the accused and his accomplices allegedly set fire to multiple parked four-wheelers and two-wheelers. The police statement further elaborated that the arson was carried out in a premeditated manner, and the vehicles were damaged using iron pipes.
The unrest on April 13 saw large groups of labourers and workers congregating in various sectors, leading to a significant deterioration of law and order. The alleged acts of vandalism and arson prompted the registration of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) by the authorities.
Evidence Leads to Arrest; Previous Agitation Links Emerge
Naresh Kumar was identified and subsequently arrested based on scientific and electronic evidence meticulously collected during the ongoing investigation. During interrogation, it was revealed that Kumar had a prior history of involvement in labour agitations, including a reported presence during labour protests in Manesar, Haryana. Investigators also recovered records pertaining to labour unions from his mobile phone, suggesting a deeper connection to organised labour movements and potential instigation.
Further investigation into Kumar’s attempts to evade arrest revealed that he had reportedly ported his mobile SIM card to a different service provider. This action was allegedly taken to hinder tracking efforts. The recovered SIM card is now a part of the evidence being processed by the police.
Police Clarify Misleading Social Media Claims Regarding Another Accused
In a separate but related development, the police have issued a clarification regarding misleading information circulating on social media concerning another individual, Anil Kumar, who was arrested on Thursday by the Phase Two police station. Social media posts and videos had falsely alleged that Anil Kumar was a government employee and served as a driver for a deputy commissioner of police within the Uttar Pradesh Police force.
The police have officially debunked these claims, stating that fact-checking has confirmed Anil Kumar is not a government employee and has never been employed as a driver for any police officer. He is identified as a private driver, and the authorities have sought to correct the public record to prevent the spread of misinformation surrounding the arrests and ongoing investigations.
The Chenab Times News Desk