Gurugram, April 9, 2026 — Chaos erupted in Manesar, Haryana, on Thursday as thousands of striking workers gathered in defiance of Section 163 (prohibiting public assembly), leading to a violent confrontation with the police. A lathi-charge initiated by security forces to disperse the crowd triggered a stampede, leaving over 20 workers injured.
Escalation of Violence and Injuries
The situation turned grim when police moved to clear the protesters. One worker sustained a severe head injury and was rushed to the hospital following significant blood loss, while a female worker reportedly lost consciousness during the commotion.
The enraged protesters retaliated by setting a police motorcycle on fire and pelting stones at a police vehicle, shattering its front and rear windshields. Witnesses reported heated physical altercations between female protesters and the police, with some women attempting to snatch batons from officers. The standoff lasted several hours.
Roots of the Unrest: The Salary Dispute
The industrial unrest began a few days ago with a strike at Honda over wage hikes. While Honda employees returned to work following a settlement, the strike spread to over half a dozen other major firms, including Satyam, Munjal Showa, and Ricoh. Employees at these units have refused to resume duties for three days, demanding a significant pay increase.
In response to the escalation, the government has begun pasting official orders regarding salary hikes outside several factory gates to pacify the workforce.
Government Mandates 35% Hike in Minimum Wage
Amidst the unrest, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Ajay Kumar issued a statement clarifying that the government has already implemented a substantial increase in minimum wages, effective from April 1, 2026.
The revised monthly wage structure is as follows:
| Worker Category | Old Wage (₹) | New Wage (₹) |
| Unskilled | 11,275 | 15,220 |
| Semi-Skilled | 12,430 | 16,780 |
| Skilled | 13,704 | 18,500 |
| Highly Skilled | 14,389 | 19,425 |
The DC emphasized that this represents a 35% increase, the highest in recent years, aimed at addressing the workers’ demands and inflation.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
The police maintain that the use of force became necessary after protesters refused to comply with Section 163. Officials alleged that some workers attempted to snatch mobile phones from officers and engaged in physical shoving.
Workers, however, accused the police of bias. “This is a fight for our rights—a matter between us and the management. The police should stay out of it instead of favoring the companies,” one protester stated.
Current Status:
- Cases Registered: Late Thursday evening, police registered cases against unidentified individuals for rioting and damaging government property.
- Security: Heavy police presence remains in the industrial hub, though authorities claim the situation is now “completely peaceful.”
- Documentation: Photos and videos of the stampede and the clash have gone viral on social media, further fueling the debate over industrial relations in the region.
