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Ahmedabad: Over 40 workers at Larsen & Toubro’s ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plant at Hazira in Surat, Gujarat were arrested last week on Saturday (February 28) under Section 109 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for inciting violence and for prevention of damage to public property. The local police, who arrived to deal with the alleged “violent workers,” fired tear gas shells to disperse at least 2,000 workers who had gathered to protest.

According to police officials, the situation deteriorated after tensions flared between demonstrators and private security personnel at the plant. Some workers alleged that members of the security staff manhandled a few protesters during a procession, triggering anger among the crowd.

As tempers rose, a section of the protestors allegedly began vandalising property. Law enforcement personnel initially attempted to calm the workers, but stone-pelting soon followed, prompting a stronger response.

Surat Zone VII deputy commissioner of police Shaifali Barwal said officers used more than 35 tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. “We detained 20 individuals, and the process of registering aaw2n FIR is underway,” she told reporters, adding that additional police teams were deployed to prevent further disturbances.

Visuals from the area showed large groups of workers moving along the highway that cuts through the coastal industrial town, even as authorities worked to restore order.

According to the police, the workers were allegedly inspired by videos of the protest at the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) refinery in Panipat, which have been circulating on various social media platforms for the last few days. The workers at Panipat have been demanding higher wages, better conditions and other facilities.

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India said a group of workers deployed by L&T at the project site had assembled to raise certain demands. They had reportedly formed Telegram groups to discuss their work situation. The........

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