Noida, April 14 -- A wage hike protest by workers in Noida turned violent on Monday with reports of arson, stone-pelting, and vandalism reported across multiple industrial clusters. The workers had been protesting for the past four days. But early morning on Monday, during peak office and school hours, large parts of the city as well as neighbouring Delhi came to a halt as workers blockaded several key roads and police set up restrictions, used tear gas, and carried out lathicharges to bring the violence under control. By late afternoon, the situation appeared to be returning to normal and calm had largely been restored. Speaking to the media, police commissioner of Gautam Budh Nagar, Laxmi Singh said around 42,000 workers came out at approximately 83 locations, but that violent protests were seen at "only two places...due to which minimal force was used." "At the remaining 78 locations, the situation was handled peacefully through dialogue and persuasion. The protesters dispersed after discussions and returned to their respective places," she said. Singh also said that seven FIRs had been registered in connection with incidents of arson, vandalism and disruption of law and order reported during the protests and several individuals have been taken into custody. Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna warned of strict action against "provocative" and "external elements" allegedly behind the violence. The impact of the agitation was felt most in the industrial pockets, particularly in Sectors 1, 60 and 84, where large groups of workers gathered, blocked roads and clashed with police. At least two vehicles were set on fire and several properties were damaged during the violence, officials said. Thousands of workers also took to the streets in Sector 62 and adjoining areas, raising slogans and demanding higher wages. Protesters were seen pelting stones at company buildings and police outposts. Videos circulating on social media showed a fire at a factory in Sector 63 and a group vandalising another in Sector 65. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the posts. President of the Noida Entrepreneurs Association (NEA), Vipin Malhan, said the situation has created a sense of insecurity across industrial units. "Factories have been attacked, stones were thrown and vehicles were set on fire. The immediate concern is whether industries can function safely in such conditions." In a letter to the district administration, the Handloom Handicraft Exporters Welfare Association (HHEWA) said several industrial units in sectors 63, Phase 1 and Phase 2 have come under attack over the past few days. "Factory gates have been broken, glass panes shattered and attackers have forcibly entered premises. In some cases, vehicles belonging to our members were set on fire," the association said....