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This Article is From Jun 19, 2022

Highlights On 'Agnipath' Protests: Security Increased For Bihar BJP Leaders

Highlights on Agnipath protest: Over 300 trains have been affected so far due to the protests against the Agnipath scheme

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India News Edited by NDTV News Desk

Updated : June 19, 2022 12:17 am IST

340 trains have been affected due to the nationwide protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme.

New Delhi:

At least 250 people have been arrested in Uttar Pradesh over the 'Agnipath' protests, which has seen hordes of angry youth, carrying bamboo sticks and stones, storming railway premises across cities and small towns and laying siege to highways.

Meanwhile, protests against 'Agnipath' left Bihar in flames on Friday when rampaging mobs set fire to dozens of railway coaches, engines and stations and torched BJP offices, vehicles and other property, prompting the police to suspend internet services in nearly a third of the state.

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Here are the highlights on the 'Agnipath' protests:

Jun 18, 2022 23:12 (IST)

‘Agnipath’ Protests Damaged Railway Property Worth Rs 200 Crore: Railway Official

Amid the protests against the centre's Agnipath Scheme across the country, violent protests have led to the destruction of property worth Rs 200 crore, damage to around 50 train coaches and five engines, a railway official said on Saturday.

"Vandalism in railway premises have led to losses of over Rs 200 crore. Fifty coaches and five engines were completely burnt and went out of service," said Prabhat Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) for the Danapur Rail Division.

Jun 18, 2022 22:46 (IST)

Haryana Congress Leaders Send Letter To Governor Against ‘Agnipath’ Scheme

A delegation of Congress leaders submitted a memorandum to a representative of the Haryana governor here on Saturday against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against party leaders and the "Agnipath" scheme for military recruitment.

Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the ED of acting against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and former party chief Rahul Gandhi at the behest of the BJP-led centre due to "political vendetta".

The ED had summoned the Gandhis to appear in connection with a money-laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper-Associated Journals Limited issue.

On the Agnipath scheme, Bhupinder Singh Hooda said it is neither in the interest of the country nor in the interest of youngsters.

Jun 18, 2022 21:39 (IST)

Congress To Take Out Tiranga Rally Against ‘Agnipath’ Scheme In Jaipur

The Congress will take out a Tiranga rally in Jaipur on Sunday against the centre's Agnipath scheme.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas told reporters that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and state party chief Govind Singh Dotasra will attend the rally at Amar Jawan Jyoti in Jaipur.

He said the Agnipath scheme is being opposed by the youth across the country and the centre should withdraw it.

Jun 18, 2022 21:34 (IST)

‘Agnipath’ Protests: 250 Arrested In Bihar As Violence Continues For 4th Day
Violence and arson marked the fourth consecutive day of protests against Agnipath on Saturday when a state-wide bandh was also called by army aspirants to press the demand for rollback of the new system of recruitment in the armed forces.

Police acted tough, arresting altogether 250 people across the state during the day and lodging 25 First Information Reports (FIRs), according to a statement issued by the force here.

The statement also put the total number of arrests since Thursday at 718 and said more people would be rounded up after they are identified in a thorough examination of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and videography done at various places.

Jun 18, 2022 21:31 (IST)

Kerala Chief Minister Urges PM Modi To Put 'Agnipath' Scheme On Hold

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to put on hold the Agnipath scheme, saying the "protests erupting" against it is a clear indication of the sentiments of India's youngsters.

His statement came amid raging protests in many states including Kerala against the implementation of the scheme.

On Thursday night, it raised the upper age limit for recruitment under the 'Agnipath' scheme to 23 years for 2022 as the protests against the new model for enrolment of soldiers into the three services intensified.

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Jun 18, 2022 21:08 (IST)

Tamil Nadu Governor Calls 'Agnipath' Revolutionary, Transformative Scheme

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi termed the 'Agnipath' a "revolutionary and transformative" scheme and said that it will provide a good platform for youth to join the Indian armed forces.

"At a young age, they (Agnivees) can come out after serving the nation with self-confidence, discipline, duly trained, and financially sound with skills and knowledge to excel in life," he said

Jun 18, 2022 20:38 (IST)

'Agnipath' Scheme Against National Interest, Says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said the 'Agnipath' scheme proposal is against national interest and wanted a re-think from the Centre. However, state Governor R N Ravi described it as "a revolutionary and transformative policy."

The Governor urged the youth to be "not misled by hostile elements."

About 150-odd anti-Agnipath aspirants staged a protest near the War Memorial in Chennai today, alleging it would affect their dreams of joining the army.

One of the protesters told the media that joining the army has been his dream and therefore he had not even pursued graduation after Class XII.

Jun 18, 2022 20:23 (IST)

BJP Chief JP Nadda Requests Youth To End Protest, Believe In PM Modi

BJP national president JP Nadda requested the youth to end the protest against the 'Agnipath' scheme and said they should believe in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He requested the protesters to choose the path of discussion and understand the scheme in detail.

JP Nadda said there are certain forces in this country who don't want reforms or change, and they don't want the power of youth to be used in the right way in the service of the nation.

He said, "try to know that at the age of 17, the scheme gives youth an opportunity to get trained not only for the military but also for a change in their entire life."

Jun 18, 2022 19:45 (IST)

BJP Leaders, Deputy Chief Minister To Get 'Y' Category Security In Bihar After Attacks

Two MPs and eight BJP legislators, including two Deputy Chief Ministers, of the BJP, were given the third-highest 'Y' Category security by the central government amid the massive backlash against the 'Agnipath' scheme.

According to BJP sources, the decision to provide extra security was cleared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is not pleased with the way Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar handled the situation in the last 3 days as party offices were attacked and the police failed to control angry mobs.

Jun 18, 2022 19:20 (IST)

"Shun Violence, Government Ready To Talk": Anurag Thakur To Protesters

Union minister Anurag Thakur today appealed to the youths protesting against the 'Agnipath' scheme to shun violence, asserting that the government is ready to look into their grievances with an "open mind" and make changes "if required".

Anurag Thakur said it is a "historic decision" taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government towards making the country "more secured" in the future and also providing "opportunities" to the country's youth.

He said the country's youth, who want to join Army, would never take the path of the violence.

Jun 18, 2022 19:09 (IST)

Defence Aspirant Runs 60 Km In Odisha To Protests Against 'Agnipath' Scheme

A defence aspirant ran 60 km in Nabarangpur, Odisha as a mark of his opposition to the 'Agnipath' scheme today and a large number of agitators sat in dharna near the revenue divisional commissioner's office in Ganjam district as protests spread in Odisha.

The demonstration was completely peaceful as the administration had made elaborate security arrangements keeping in view the violent agitation in different states.

An agitator Dilip Kumar Nahaka said "I have already spent 3 years in NCC and got its A, B, and C certificates. Many like me have also spent 2 years preparing for the defence service. Now the government is saying that our tenure will be for only four years".

Jun 18, 2022 18:58 (IST)

Protesters Set Police Jeep, Roadways Bus On Fire In UP's Jaunpur: Police

A police jeep and an Uttar Pradesh roadways bus was set on fire in Jaunpur while RLD and AAP workers protested in Meerut as the protests against the 'Agnipath' scheme continued in different parts of the country.

District Magistrate of Jaunpur Manish Kumar Verma said hundreds of protesters gathered on the Jaunpur-Prayagraj highway today morning and damaged many vehicles, including two roadways buses and a police car.

According to Superintendent of Police Ajay Sahni, the protestors resorted to stone-pelting and a vehicle of a local BJP leader was damaged.

Jun 18, 2022 18:52 (IST)

Looking At Ways To Hire 'Agniveers' In State-Run Firms: Minister Hardeep Puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the PSUs under the housing and petroleum ministries are working on ways to hire 'Agniveers' after their four-year service in the armed forces.

"This is a great scheme. I can say this on record that many PSUs under my ministries are already working on (hiring) trained manpower (Agniveers)...their skills can be utilized in PSUs", Hardeep Singh Puri said.

Jun 18, 2022 18:18 (IST)

'Agnipath' Protests Are Politically Motivated, Says Maharashtra BJP Chief

Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said the violent protests against the 'Agnipath' scheme are politically motivated and if a case is registered against those indulging in arson then it would be "extremely difficult" for them to get jobs in the future.

Such a scheme will introduce disciplined youth into society and will not affect their prospects in any way. Maharashtra BJP chief said.

Jun 18, 2022 18:07 (IST)

"Strike First, Think Later" Varun Gandhi Jabs Centre On 'Agnipath' Scheme

BJP MP Varun Gandhi took a swipe at the Centre over the Agnipath scheme, saying it is not appropriate for a sensitive government to "strike first and think later" when it comes to the armed forces, security, and youth's future.

Varun Gandhi said the changes made in the scheme show various dimensions of the scheme were not taken into consideration when the policy was framed.

Jun 18, 2022 17:44 (IST)

"Youth Disappointed, Desperate": Priyanka Gandhi On 'Agnipath' Protests

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi said she "understands the pain of the youth...they are disappointed and desperate."

Priyanka Gandhi said she wrote a letter Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on March 29, 2022, requesting him to urgently start the recruitment rally for Army which was stopped for almost 2 years. She said that she had demanded an age relaxation of 2 years for the youth.

She also said that due to long delays in the recruitment process and appointments, the youth is disappointed.

Priyanka Gandhi said her pleas to the Defence Minister were unheard.

Jun 18, 2022 17:13 (IST)

210 Mail/Express Trains, 159 Passenger Trains Cancelled Due To Protests

The Railways cancelled 369 trains today due to the protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme, officials said. These include 210 mail/express and 159 local passenger trains.

The Railways has also partially cancelled two mail/express trains, thus the total number of trains affected during the day is 371, the officials said.

Jun 18, 2022 16:57 (IST)

Security Increased At Andhra Pradesh's Guntur Station, 200 Taken In Custody

Security has been increased at Guntur Railway station in Andhra Pradesh with police force deployed in large numbers in view of the 'Agnipath' protests across the country.

Guntur Superintendent of Police Arif Hafiz said, "Heavy police have been deployed at the Guntur Railway station. In the wake of the Agneepath Scheme, some youths are protesting in Secunderabad, Bihar and other places across the country. To avoid any incident..., so the DSPs, CI, SI, Constable, and others are deployed to maintain law and order situation in Guntur."

He further urged the protestors to protest peacefully.

Jun 18, 2022 16:30 (IST)

East Coast Railways Cancels Trains Passing Through Odisha

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has cancelled and short terminated several trains passing through Odisha due to nationwide protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme.

No train will be operated at Visakhapatnam station from 6 am to 2 pm on Saturday in view of the agitation, the ECoR said in a release.

The cancelled trains include the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express and Bhubaneswar-Secunderabad Visakha Express.

The ECoR partially cancelled at least 10 trains, including the Godavari Express from Hyderabad that will end its journey at Duvvada near Visakhapatna

Jun 18, 2022 16:13 (IST)

Train Services Stopped In Bihar Till 8 PM

Due to the protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme in Bihar, train services have been stopped in Bihar till 8 pm today and will be suspended again from 4 am tomorrow till 8 pm, authorities said.

The authorities said the decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety and security of the passengers and protecting rail property.

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