Gurgaon: Six alleged conspirators behind the April 9 vandalism in IMT Manesar, which took place during protests by industrial workers demanding higher wages, were arrested on Monday, police said. With these arrests, the total number of people held in the case has risen to 70.According to police, a larger conspiracy — allegedly involving plans to set factories on fire using petrol bombs — was uncovered through WhatsApp chats. Investigators said the accused not only participated in the violence but also instigated contractual workers to carry out arson, stone-pelting and assaults across multiple industrial units during the protest.Police added that most accused had no employment links with companies in Gurgaon and acted as “external conspirators”. Those arrested have been identified as Aakash from Rohtak, Pintu Kumar Yadav from Bihar, Shyambeer from UP, Ajit Singh from Haryana, and Raju Singh and Harish Chand from Uttarakhand.Police spokesperson Sandeep Turan said the accused repeatedly provoked workers to engage in vandalism, arson and attacks on police personnel and company staff.In a screenshot of a chat, which a source shared with TOI, an accused said, “Kam se kam 10 bottle petrol company ki taraf pheko. (Throw at least 10 bottles of petrol towards the company)”“Sab raat ka intezaar karo, jaise hi raat ho jaaye, company mein aag laga do (wait till night, set company ablaze then),” another person said.On Monday, police appealed to workers to remain cautious and not fall prey to instigation by outsiders. “If any non-worker attempts to vitiate the atmosphere or provoke unrest, the information should be shared with the police immediately,” a police officer said, adding that further investigation is under way and more arrests are likely.On April 9, 55 people, including around 20 women, were arrested and two FIRs were registered after contractual workers turned violent during protests seeking higher wages at multiple units in IMT Manesar.One of the FIRs, filed on a complaint by Richa Global Exports, invoked attempt to murder charges against 11 individuals, while another was registered based on a complaint by Modelama Exports. Later, around seven to eight more people were arrested and charged with attempt to murder.Police said agitators vandalised vehicles, damaged factory property, set a police motorcycle on fire and clashed with personnel deployed at the site.The protest escalated despite prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, with more than 1,000 workers assembling across industrial units in Manesar.Investigators earlier flagged the role of certain labour groups and external elements in instigating the violence. Monday’s arrests, police said, substantiate those claims, pointing to a premeditated attempt to trigger large-scale disruption in the industrial belt.Police said security remains tightened across IMT Manesar and reiterated that maintaining law and order is a priority, even as efforts continue to address workers’ grievances through administrative and industry-level interventions.Separately, employees of a private company, mostly women, on Monday blocked Delhi-Agra National Highway near Palwal’s Prithla, demanding wages in line with govt-mandated norms. The protest caused hours-long traffic disruptions.Demonstrators said their demand for higher wages had been pending for a long time without any concrete action. They added that inadequate pay has made it difficult to meet household expenses, prompting the blockade.Police and local authorities reached the spot and engaged with the protesters. Palwal city magistrate Preeti Rawat assured them that the order on minimum wages would be enforced as per govt norms and warned of strict action in cases of misconduct involving women workers. Following assurances and negotiations, the blockade was lifted and traffic resumed.
