Angry Workers vandalise Factories in Gurgaon

Gurgaon, Feb 12 (IANS) An angry mob of 5,000 workers Thursday vandalised offices of more than a dozen factories in Udyog Vihar area here, police said.

The irate mob rampaged through reception areas and offices and damaged vehicles parked in several factories.

The trouble started in two factories located in Udyog Vihar phase 1 and phase 4 Thursday afternoon.

"The workers of the company, situated at plots number 236/1 and 231/4, had heated arguments with the management over some issue and soon rumours spread that a worker had died during the clash with factory officials," assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Rajesh Kumar told IANS.

Workers started breaking glass panes and computers and damaging vehicles parked in the company premises.

Over five dozen vehicles (all four-wheelers) were smashed and a few two-wheelers were torched.

After the incident in the two garment manufacturing factories, workers from other units also joined the agitated mob and they went on a vandalising spree in other factories.

Factories at plot number 208, 198, 232, 411, 294, 293, along with others, were stormed. Almost all the factories manufacture or export garments.

A few company officials and workers were injured in the incident. Heavy police force was rushed to the spot to control the situation.

Meanwhile, the mob comprising thousands of workers created panic in the area. Vehicles of some passersby were also damaged.

"The situation is now tense but was absolutely under control," the police officer said. Fire brigade contingents were also rushed to spot.

"Workers were being treated badly by officials of managements, they were not even paid properly for their hard work. On Thursday a supervisor beat up a worker badly, which was the immediate cause behind today's incidents," a trade union leader told IANS.

While some workers were reportedly detained, a case against hundreds of workers has been registered at the Udyog Vihar police station.