Wistron expresses shock, estimates loss at over Rs 437 cr due to violence at K'taka plant

Wistron Corporation, a contract manufacturer for Apple Inc, has suffered losses worth over Rs 437 crore due to violence perpetrated by a section of workers over salary issues at its manufacturing plant in Karnataka.

A large number of employees allegedly carried out arson, loot and violence at Wistron's Narasapura manufacturing plant in Kolar district over some w-related issues on Saturday, police h said.

y damd building, damd vehicles, set m on fire, damd costly equipment including machines and computers.

company, which on Monday expressed deep shock over incident, has alrey filed a complaint at Vemagal police station.

In complaint, company's executive T D Prashanth has stated that office equipment, mobile phones, production machinery and related equipment worth Rs 412.5 crore were lost.

Among ors, infrastructure worth Rs 10 crore, Rs 60 lakh worth cars and golf carts, smartphones and or ggets worth Rs 1.5 crore suffered dam, were stolen or lost.

According to complaint, 5,000 contract labourers and about 2,000 unkwn culprits carried out vandalism at facility.

police have so far arrested 149 people and detained a few ors.

"We are deeply shocked by events at our Narasapura facility. We follow law and are supporting authorities with ir investigation. safety and well being of our team members is always our top priority," Wistron Smart Devices, invation business group, Managing Director Sudipto Gupta said in a statement.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan h condemned incident and said stringent action would be taken against perpetrators.

Political parties in Karnataka have sought a thorough probe into violence at plant as y expressed concerns about its possible impact on investment-friendly im of state.

Besides Apple iPhone, Taiwan-hequartered Wistron manufactures IT products for Levo and Microsoft.

Wistron is also one of 16 entities that have received approval for incentive under central government's Production Linked Incentive (PLI) plan. PTI GMS SS PRS RAM DRR DRR