CPI(M) Delegation Visits Released Noida Workers, Condemns UP Government's Crackdown

Noida: A delegation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), led by General Secretary M A Baby, met workers in Noida who were recently released on bail after spending nearly a month in custody following their arrest during the Noida workers' movement. The workers, who have also been dismissed from their jobs, alleged that they were subjected to physical assault in police custody and were booked under multiple charges on fabricated evidence in a bid to suppress their movement.

The delegation included Polit Bureau members R Arun Kumar and Tapan Sen, Rajya Sabha MP V Sivadasan, CPI(M) Delhi State Secretariat members Rajeev Kunwar and P V Aniyan, and Noida-based leaders Ram Swarath, Gangeshwar, and Ram Sagar.

During the visit, 50 workers of garment factory 'Fabstract Clothing', who had joined the trade union movement following the April workers' agitation, presented their grievances before the delegation. The party also met representatives of workers at 'Vibracoustic India', an automobile-sector company. Workers from both 'Fabstract Clothing' and Motherson told the delegation that managements routinely obstruct unionisation efforts and victimise workers who take on leadership roles by dismissing them from service.

The CPI(M) General Secretary strongly criticised the Uttar Pradesh government for unleashing police violence against workers and filing false cases against them. He also condemned the denial of permission to visit workers still held in jail, stating that some of those in custody were being denied the ability to apply for bail or access legal assistance — a violation of their fundamental rights, he added.

He said the party had been attempting for several days to obtain permission to visit the jailed workers through MP V Sivadasan, but jail authorities communicated that the request had been denied by higher authorities. "This is completely irresponsible and means that the government has got something to hide," he said.

The CPI(M) general secretary assured the workers that the party would stand with them, provide legal assistance, and support their ongoing struggles. The statement issued by the party said the repression, arrests, and dismissals faced by workers were a clear demonstration of continuing attacks on workers' rights, while asserting that workers' unity and collective resistance remained the strongest response to such attacks.