Noida workers’ stir: activists demand release of those still in jail
Activists and family members protested at Jantar Mantar to demand the release of workers and activists arrested during April protests in Noida. The detainees face charges including the National Security Act, which critics argue is being used without sufficient evidence.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about the use of stringent security laws against labor activists and the state of civil liberties in India.
Student leaders and activists on Tuesday held a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the release of people arrested in connection with the workers’ agitation in Noida in April.
The protest was organised by Campaign for the Release of Workers and Activists of Noida (CaRWAN), a human rights advocacy group, to mark four months since the arrests.
Protesters included students, artists, activists, workers, and family members of those arrested. They held placards terming the action “illegal and baseless” and photographs of those in jail.
Keshav Anand, a member of CaRWAN and whose brother was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police, alleged that Delhi Police tried to stop the protest and warned them of legal action. “Delhi Police did not think of [citing the] law when students were [illegally] picked up by [U.P.] police personnel in plain clothes from Delhi without an arrest warrant,” he said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in