The Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU) has accused the Noida police of “criminalising trade union activity” under the guise of investigating recent industrial unrest, calling it a direct assault on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The labour body alleged that the police is attempting to delegitimise and suppress legitimate trade union activity. “The right to organise workers, to make them aware of their legal rights, and even to struggle for their demands are all guaranteed by the Constitution of India,” the IFTU said.

Criticising a recent court order, the IFTU said that an ACJM court in Gautam Budh Nagar had permitted the police to access electronic devices, including mobile phones, of three activists—Satyem, Aditya Anand and Himanshu Thakur—and examine their interactions with workers and organisational material.

“In the name of investigating the April 13 violence, the court has accepted the flawed position of the police, allowing access not just to the activists’ devices but potentially to any worker who may have been in contact with them at any point,” it said.

The union body argued that the order overlooks settled legal principles upheld in previous judgments that workers have the right to organise, unionise, collectively raise demands and engage in collective bargaining.

The 13 April protests in Noida saw thousands of factory workers take to the streets demanding wage hikes, during which alleged violence was reported. Following the unrest, police arrested between 350 and 396 people.

Notably, under mounting pressure after the protests, the Yogi government ensured the disbursal of over ₹1 crore in pending wages under the Minimum Wages Act and announced an interim hike of ₹2,000 in minimum wages. It also initiated action against contractors, filed charges against 50 of them, cancelled licences of 10 and blacklisted several others.

Demanding the withdrawal of all FIRs, release of those arrested, strict implementation of labour laws, repeal of the four Labour Codes, and a nationwide minimum wage of ₹30,000, the IFTU said: “The four Labour Codes being enforced by the Central government weaken labour law enforcement mechanisms and curtail trade union rights, particularly through the Industrial Relations Code. The actions of the Noida police are furthering this agenda.”

Noida—one of the NCR’s most heavily industrialised hubs—home to nearly 15,000 registered units spread across three police zones. These include everything from small-scale enterprises to multinational firms, together representing over two lakh business entities and employing an estimated four lakh workers.

To 'prevent' any protest in the future, the Gautam Budh Nagar Police Commissionerate has formed a dedicated industrial cell and appointed an ad hoc Deputy Commissioner of Police to oversee industrial affairs.

National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah has reaffirmed that restoring Article 370 remains central to the agenda of the Jammu and Kashmir NC, declaring there would be no compromise on the issue.

Speaking at a public gathering in Budgam in central Kashmir on Monday, the veteran leader said the party would continue its campaign to safeguard the rights and dignity of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He emphasised that the demand for reinstating Article 370, revoked by the Centre in 2019, remained non-negotiable.

Abdullah also addressed concerns around governance in the Union Territory, stating that a dual administrative system would not serve its long-term stability. He argued that an elected government must be allowed to function without undue interference, warning that parallel authority structures could create confusion and hinder decision-making.

Highlighting the party’s legacy, he credited the leadership of Sheikh Abdullah with ushering in transformative land reforms that granted ownership rights to farmers and significantly reduced poverty and inequality.

According to Abdullah, these measures played a crucial role in reshaping the region’s socio-economic landscape.

He alleged that the constitutional safeguards once enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir had been steadily weakened over time before being entirely removed in 2019. He also criticised the role of the Jammu and Kashmir People's Democratic Party in that process.

Reiterating his party’s position, Abdullah cautioned against what he described as misleading narratives and insisted that the struggle for restoring constitutional rights would continue under all circumstances.

The former chief minister also renewed calls for the restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that it is essential for effective governance. He noted that assurances had previously been given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home minister Amit Shah regarding statehood, but said progress had yet to materialise.

Abdullah added that the Supreme Court of India had also directed the Centre to expedite the process, and urged the government to honour its commitments without further delay.

With PTI inputs

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed police to take immediate and stern action over an objectionable social media post allegedly targeting West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, officials said on Monday.

The controversy erupted after the All India Trinamool Congress flagged a “vile, insulting and highly objectionable” caricature of the chief minister, purportedly shared online by a self-described right-wing supporter from Uttar Pradesh. The party said the post was taken down following a formal complaint.

Taking serious note of the incident, an EC official confirmed that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to act without delay.
“We have taken serious note of it and instructed the police to initiate immediate action. Necessary directions have been issued to ensure prompt response,” the official said.

Separately, TMC member Nilanjan Das lodged a complaint with the cybercrime unit of the Bidhannagar Police, triggering a formal investigation.

Police said the social media account responsible for the post is under scrutiny as part of the probe.

The development comes at a crucial juncture in the state’s electoral calendar. West Bengal is set to vote in the second phase for 142 seats on Wednesday, following the first phase held on 23 April. Counting of votes is scheduled for 4 May.

With PTI inputs