Surat: At least 40 workers were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out at the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) site in Hazira on Thursday even as the FIR detailed how the morning gathering soon spiralled out of the control, forcing the police to fire 10 rounds in the air.Police booked the arrested workers on charges of attempt to murder, rioting, damage to public property, obstructing government officials from discharging their duties, and unlawful assembly, among other offences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.While there was no escalation of violence on Friday, workers began gathering again at the site in the morning, prompting the city police commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut to rush there along with senior officials. He appealed to them to maintain peace.Speaking to TOI, Gahlaut said the situation was under control and that workers had resumed duties. “We informed the workers that L&T had initiated discussions on their demands regarding wages and working conditions. Adequate police force had been deployed across the campus to maintain law and order.” According to the FIR, Hazira police inspector received a call at around 9.36am informing that a large group of L&T workers had gathered at the AM/NS campus, demanding higher wages, an eight-hour shift, double pay for overtime, better drinking water, clean toilets, and permission to carry mobile phones at the workplace.The inspector reached the spot with Hazira police personnel and attempted to pacify the workers. Company security staff also tried to persuade them, but the situation turned violent. Workers allegedly began pelting stones and iron pipes at police personnel. At around 11.47am, the inspector alerted the control room, seeking reinforcement as the mob went out of control.Additional forces from Ichhapore and Pal police stations were rushed to the spot. Assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Sweta Daniels and DCP Zone-7 Shaifali Barwal also reached the site with additional force. As heavy stone-pelting continued, police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.The FIR stated that the mob attacked a police van and allegedly snatched a hand grenade from the police inspector before throwing it into a vehicle, causing severe burn injuries to two policemen. The DCP and two other police personnel were also injured in the violence.As the mob began damaging and torching police and other vehicles, police escalated their response, firing 10 rounds in the air, lobbing 36 tear gas shells, and deploying four hand grenades to bring the situation under control.
