Noida Police revealed that over 50 fake social media handles were created within just 24 hours ahead of the recent workers’ protests, deliberately spreading rumors and misinformation to fuel unrest. Authorities suspect outside involvement and have filed FIRs against some accounts, while a Special Task Force is investigating the digital trail.
Police officials confirmed that these bot accounts were used to circulate false claims and incite workers before the large-scale demonstrations in Noida, where thousands gathered demanding wage hikes. The protests quickly escalated into violence, with reports of stone-pelting, arson, and vehicles being set on fire.
Investigators believe the unrest was not spontaneous but orchestrated, pointing to coordinated attempts to destabilize the situation. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force has been tasked with tracing the origins of these fake handles, and FIRs have already been registered against two accounts on X (formerly Twitter) for spreading misinformation.
Authorities are also probing possible links to external groups, with speculation about organized disinformation campaigns and even attempts to revive Naxal influence. Parallel investigations are exploring whether foreign elements, including suspected Pakistan-based networks, played a role in amplifying the unrest. So far, hundreds of arrests have been made, and multiple FIRs have been lodged against those involved in violence and vandalism.
To restore calm, police have increased patrolling across sensitive areas, while the state government has set up a high-level committee to mediate between workers and employers. Officials emphasized that misinformation spread through fake accounts played a significant role in escalating tensions, highlighting the growing challenge of tackling digital manipulation during mass movements.
This incident underscores how coordinated online disinformation can directly trigger real-world violence, making digital surveillance and fact-checking critical for law enforcement. For Noida, the protests have not only disrupted industrial activity but also exposed vulnerabilities in managing social media-driven unrest. The ongoing investigation will determine the scale of outside involvement and whether stricter cyber regulations are needed to prevent similar flare-ups in the future.