The Indian regional plant of the Chinese smartphone manufacturers Oppo witnessed a massive protest by its workers on Tuesday, after one of its Chinese employees allegedly disrespected the Indian national flag.     

Around 2,000 employees gathered near the Oppo's manufacturing plant in Noida's Sector 63 in Indian state of Uttar Pradesh to stage a violent protest. They gathered after reports emerge that the company's Chinese employee 'Suhahu' allegedly tore apart the posters of the Indian flag and put them into a nearby dustbin. The incident is said to have occurred on Monday afternoon when Suhahu was carrying inspection of the plant.          

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Some Indian employees immediately took an objection to Suhahu's act, but their protest was immediately shrugged off by the Chinese employee. Several media reports also claim that Indian employees reported the incident to their boss, but their complaint was not paid any heeds.    

Seeing no amicable resolution to the matter, Oppo's night shift employees decided to take the matters in their hands. According to the reports, they held a meeting in the night and bought Indian flags from nearby markets for protest purposes.        

Oppo employees public protest  began early morning

The protest started during Tuesday early morning, with protestors chanting Bharat Mata ki jai (India is great) slogans and demanding strict punishment for the Chinese employee. Eyewitnesses claim that about 200 police personals rushed to the spot at approximately 7:00 AM, while people in the nearby colonies climbed on the rooftop with Indian flags in show of strength.   

"Every corner of the office is under camera surveillance and we have told the police to scan the footage to establish the facts. We cannot tolerate disrespect towards our national flag," said one protestor.    

The protestors calmed down only after the local police agreed to file an FIR against the OPPO Company. An Indian police officer later informed that a FIR has been filed against the Chinese national on the basis of a complaint filed by three employees.  

However, no arrest has been made so far, with police claiming that the matter is still in investigation.

Oppo has issued an official statement on the issue as it promised to lend sincere cooperation on the matter.

"We at OPPO India are paying serious attention to this issue. We deeply regret this unfortunate incident and are extending all our co-operation to the concerned authorities and will take appropriate action," it said.

The statement also assured that the Chinese company completely respects India, while claiming that the 99% of their employees in India are indeed Indians.

Beijing demands protection for Chinese companies and employees

Meanwhile, China on Wednesday took note of the Indian employee's protest at Oppo plant. The Chinese foreign minister said that it hopes that issue is resolved properly by the Indian authorities. It stressed that the "Chinese government always asks its Chinese enterprises and staff overseas to abide by local law and regulations."       

It also hoped that rights of Chinese companies and employees are protected in adherence with the local law.

No official from the Indian government has so responded over the issue.  

India and China share a tense political relationship over several contagious issues. Both nations fought a full-fledged war in year 1962.   

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