India, April 15 -- Demands for higher wages by workers in Noida descended into chaos on Monday as protests across the district's industrial belts spiralled into arson, vandalism and stone-pelting, bringing the city to a standstill on Tuesday. Gautam Buddh Nagar Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh and the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Uttar Pradesh Police have now launched parallel investigations pointing to a deeper conspiracy: the hand of "Outsiders, organised misinformation campaigns, possible Pakistan-backed destabilisation, and even a bid to revive Naxalism".

"During the investigation, it came to light that an organised group was involved in instigating the protesters in a systematic way," Singh said. He added, the police have identified...