Gurgaon: Fifty-five people, including around 20 women, were arrested and two FIRs were filed, one under attempt to murder charges, on Friday — a day after scores of contractual workers working across multiple companies in IMT Manesar vandalised police vehicles, set a police motorcycle on fire and also clashed with cops during a protest seeking higher wages.Two FIRs were registered at the Sector 7 IMT Manesar police station based on complaints filed by Richa Global Exports Pvt Ltd and Modelama Exports Pvt Ltd. In the first FIR, lodged on a complaint by officials of Richa Global, 11 individuals were booked for attempt to murder.According to sources, 44 individuals were arrested in connection with the second FIR. All 55 were produced before a local court, which remanded 11 of them to 14 days’ judicial custody.Police spokesperson Sandeep Turan said the remaining 44 were offered bail at the police station but refused to accept it. “They were then produced before the court. The hearing for their bail is scheduled for Monday,” Turan added.The complaints stated that the agitators damaged vehicles and property and allegedly heckled officials.“We made all efforts to make the protesters understand that there was no need for violence as their demands had been fulfilled and accepted, but they chose an illegal way to pressurise the authorities, which is not acceptable. We had to arrest them for creating a law and order situation,” a senior police officer said.The violence erupted a day after the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, banning the assembly of five or more people in Manesar. Despite the curbs, over 1,000 contractual workers gathered outside multiple factories across sectors on Thursday morning.As per the FIR filed by Ramveer Singh, AGM (HR) at Richa Global Exports, around 200–250 workers had been protesting outside the company’s three units — one in Sector 7 and two in Sector 4 — for the past few days over salary demands.Around 10.30am on Thursday, some protesters allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel and company officials, besides vandalising vehicles and setting them on fire. Police used mild force to disperse the crowd after warnings were ignored.The FIR also states that two female employees — Sushila Devi from Mirzapur, UP, and Rani Devi from Muzaffarpur, Bihar — were assaulted during the incident.Multiple vehicles were damaged across the company’s units. At the Sector 7 unit, an Ertiga (HR26GV7062), a Tata bus (HR55GV4426), and a police motorcycle (HR26GV9188) were vandalised, with the motorcycle set on fire. At other units, damaged vehicles included a Swift Dzire (HR26CE3510), Eeco (DL4CAU8323), Tata Intra (HR55AK0846), Mahindra Thar (HR26FU3217), Kia Seltos (HR26GC0336), an e-rickshaw (HR55AH3138), a motorcycle (HR26DS1545), and two Hero Splendor bikes (UP13CK7490 and HR51BU0431).The complainant further alleged that machinery and property inside the units were damaged and accused certain labour organisations, including Inquilabi Mazdoor and the Automobile Industrial Contract Worker Union, of instigating the workers.In the second FIR, filed by Suresh Kumar, senior manager (HR) at Modelama Exports, 300–400 workers had gathered outside its Sector 4 unit when violence broke out around 10am.According to the complaint, protesters pelted stones at police and company officials and vandalised vehicles, including a WagonR (HR26FM4108), a police Bolero (HR26GV3542), and an ERV vehicle (HR99-0257). They also damaged the company’s main gate, CCTV cameras, windows, and green belt fencing.Police said the protesters defied prohibitory orders, obstructed govt work, and attacked personnel deployed to maintain law and order.Both FIRs include multiple sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to rioting, unlawful assembly, obstruction of public servants, and damage to property, while attempt to murder was invoked in the Richa Global case. Police remained deployed across IMT Manesar on Friday, and the situation was reported to be under control.Workers’ unions condemned the police action on social media, calling the use of force unnecessary, and demanded the immediate release of those arrested.Harish, a member of the Inquilabi Mazdoor union, said the hike in LPG prices was the key trigger. He added that after the district commissioner announced a salary hike, protesters on Thursday morning asked company authorities to paste notices regarding the decision. “The officials did not paste the notices announcing acceptance of the govt’s directions, which led to the major protest,” Harish said.Police said further investigation is underway and more arrests are likely.Meanwhile, police held a meeting with company representatives and contractors, issuing a series of directives aimed at ensuring timely payment of wages, maintaining law and order, and improving transparency. The meeting was convened by Manesar DCP Prabina and attended by owners and representatives of multiple companies, along with contractors operating in the industrial area.“During the meeting, companies and contractors were directed to ensure that all workers are paid in accordance with govt-prescribed wages. They were also asked to display details of these wages prominently on notice boards outside their establishments to ensure transparency and awareness among workers,” Turan said.
