Violence breaks out at India iPhone factory near Bengaluru

Gulf Today Report

Authorities vowed to crack down on workers at the iPhone manufacturing plant, run by Taiwan-based tech giant Wistron Corporation at Narsapura, came under attack on Saturday from its employees over allegations of unpaid wages and exploitation, with 100 people arrested so far.

The workers rioted on Saturday at Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing's facility on the outskirts of Bangalore, India's IT hub, with videos of the violence showing glass panels smashed with rods and cars flipped on their side.

A majority of the nearly 2,000 employees went on a rampage destroying the company’s furniture and attempted to set fire to vehicles.

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CCTV cameras, fans and lights were torn down, while a car was set on fire, footage shared on social media showed. Senior police officers along with additional personnel from Kolar district have rushed to the spot.

Local media reported workers saying they had not been paid for up to four months and were being forced to do extra shifts.

Buses stand in front of the entrance of Wistron at Narsapura, Bengaluru, on Sunday. AFP

"The situation is under control now. We have formed special teams to investigate the incident," local police told the media.

The deputy chief minister of Karnataka state, C.N. Ashwathnarayan, called the violence "wanton" and said his government would ensure that the situation is "resolved expeditiously".

"We will ensure that all workers' rights are duly protected and all their dues are cleared," he tweeted Saturday.

Wistron in Taiwan told AFP that "the incident was caused by people of unknown identities from outside who intruded into and damaged its facility with unclear intentions".