Once again in Gurgaon, apparel manufcaturing industry face the heat of worker unrest and this time in the Sector 37 – based factory of Orient Craft when workers turned violent after rumours of a worker’s death, leading to arson and rioting which left a few workers injured. Workers vandalised four units, setting a dozen cars and motorbikes on fire and smashing window panes. All this happened after rumours spread among factory workers that a fellow worker Pawan Kumar, who was injured due to an electric shock, had died at the hospital. Soon, another rumour spread that four workers of the factory were trapped in a lift and were burnt alive. The police reached the spot and tried to pacify the workers, but to no avail as they continued burning vehicles. According to media reports over 250 people were booked under various sections of the IPC and a case of attempt to murder was slapped Gurgaon police commissioner Navdeep Singh Virk said, “Keeping in view the past history of workers’ unrest in the factory the damage was contained in a minimum possible manner. Gurgaon police reacted swiftly to defuse the situation. Strong police presence will be maintained for the next few weeks to ensure peace in the area. Several police teams have been conducting raids to nab the accused.” Further investigations are on.
