iPhone factory in Karnataka ransacked: Wistron assesses damage at Rs 437 crore

Wistron Infocomm Manufacturing (India) has estimated that the total loss incurred by the company during the violence on Saturday amounts to Rs 437.70 crore. Thousands of workers ransacked the Narasapura industrial area around 6am. As of Sunday, the police had arrested 128 people in connection with the violence.

Administrative officer Prashanth TD had said in his complaint that a group of outsiders armed with iron rods and clubs forced its way into the premises and targeted the HR block first.

A senior police officer said that the attackers breached the four main entrance gates, ransacked offices, smashed lockers and desks and destroyed documents containing details of employees. Once they were inside they were joined by contract workers who have been demanding pending wages of three to four months and overtime pay. The officer said, "We have intensified our probe to identify the ring leaders of the armed mob, based on the complaint filed by Wistron."

Other equipment, including production machinery, phones and laptops worth Rs 412 crore were damaged. Floors, ceilings, AC power units were also damaged.

Meanwhile, the police had arrested around 128 people who took part in the protest. Round 300 people have been detained for questioning. "We have had information on the people who instigated the attack . They are on the run and efforts are on to track them down," the senior police officer said.

Wistron has around 15,000 employees but only 1,400 are on the payroll.

Also read: Workers go on rampage at Wistron's iPhone manufacturing plant in Karnataka; 80 held