Protesters at Jantar Mantar Demand Release of Activists Arrested in Noida Agitation

Student leaders, activists, and family members held a protest at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday demanding the release of individuals arrested following the April industrial area agitation in Noida. The demonstration was organized by the human rights advocacy group Campaign for the Release of Workers and Activists of Noida (CaRWAN) to mark four months since the arrests.

Workers across the Noida industrial area staged a series of protests in April over issues including wage hikes, working hours, and better overtime pay. After violence was reported during one stir, Uttar Pradesh police registered multiple FIRs and arrested several people, alleging that coordinated misinformation networks and outsiders hijacked the protests to disturb public order.

According to CaRWAN, eight activists have remained in jail for four months, with at least 11 FIRs registered against each person. Uttar Pradesh police invoked provisions of the National Security Act (NSA), which allows detention for up to a year without trial, against student activist Akriti Choudhary and Lucknow-based journalist Satyam Verma. Police named Aditya Anand as the prime accused for allegedly inciting violence.

Protesters raised concerns over alleged contradictions in police documentation, pointing out that arrest dates and locations differed between chargesheets and remand sheets submitted to magistrates. CaRWAN member Keshav Anand noted that while one record stated Akriti Choudhary was arrested on April 11 at Botanical Garden metro station, another chargesheet placed her phone near the Noida Phase 2 police station on April 26 while she was already in police custody.

Family members and friends alleged widespread harassment, including warrantless home searches and interrogation of relatives. Demonstrators also claimed that Delhi Police tried to stop Tuesday's demonstration at Jantar Mantar with warnings of legal action. Protesters added that detainees in Kasna jail have been spending their time teaching children of inmates and reviving a defunct library.