New Delhi: Protests have escalated against 'Agnipath', the Centre's radical recruitment scheme for the armed forces, as it entered the third day today. Mobs set trains on fire in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Telangana, resulting in cancellation of several rail services across the country. Meanwhile, internet services have been suspended in 12 districts of Bihar and three districts in Haryana.
The government unveiled the Agnipath scheme on Tuesday -- calling it a "transformative" scheme-- for the recruitment of soldiers in the Army, Navy and Air Force, largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis. The age limit for Agnipath recruitment has now been raised to 23 from 21 as a one-time waiver following the protests.
Here are the Highlights on 'Agnipath' Protests:
Jun 18, 2022 00:10 (IST)
'Agnipath' Protests Live Updates: 10 Arrested, 225 Charged In Noida, Say Police
Protests against the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme continued on Friday as scores of youngsters descended on the Yamuna Expressway and blocked traffic movement briefly, prompting Gautam Buddh Nagar police to lodge an FIR against 225 protesters and arresting 10, officials said. They said eight police personnel and a driver of a privately-run bus suffered injuries in violence during the protest in Jewar area of the district, adjoining Delhi in western Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)
Jun 18, 2022 00:03 (IST)
Live Updates: 234 Trains Cancelled Amid 'Agnipath' Protests, Says Railways
The Railways cancelled 234 trains while 340 trains have been affected so far due to protests against the Agnipath scheme, the Railways said. It said 94 mail and express trains and 140 passenger trains were cancelled due to the protests, while 65 mail and express and 30 passenger trains were partially cancelled. The Railways has also diverted 11 mail and express trains. The total number of trains affected so far stands at 340, officials said. Coaches of seven trains have been set on fire by protesters, officials said, (PTI)
Jun 17, 2022 21:21 (IST)
'Agnipath' Protests Live Updates: Situation Now Peaceful In Aligarh, Say Police
The situation is now peaceful in Aligarh and flag march has been conducted, said police as violent protests erupted earlier in the day against the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme. The Tappal region has been divided into four zones and eight sectors, a senior official said. Additional police forces have also been deployed and 10 teams have been operationalised to make arrests. The police said they have taken 30 suspects into custody and they are being interrogated.
Jun 17, 2022 21:13 (IST)
Protests Proof That Youth Will Never Accept 'Agnipath' Scheme, Says Manish Sisodia
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has said that the protests across the country are proof that the youth of country will never accept the 'Agnipath' defence recruitment scheme. "Every youth has the right to join the Army and dedicate their whole life for the country, but today the BJP is depriving them of this right. The demonstrations happening across the country are clear proof that the youth of India will never accept Agnipath. No policy or law can be greater than the passion for service to the nation," Mr Sisodia said in a tweet in Hindi.
Jun 17, 2022 21:12 (IST)
Live Updates: Review 'Agnipath' Scheme, KCR's Party's Leader Tells Centre
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Working President and Minister for IT and Industries KT Rama Rao has demanded the Centre to review the 'Agnipath' scheme, alleging that the NDA government has taken a unilateral decision on it. In a statement, the minister alleged that the scheme is "killing" the aspirations of millions of youth who want to join the armed forces and serve the nation.
Jun 17, 2022 18:08 (IST)
Live Protest: Siddaramaiah Appeals To Centre To Drop 'Agnipath' Scheme
Former Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to the Centre to drop the Agnipath scheme of recruiting military personnel as 'Agniveers' for a term of four years in the wake of violent protests in parts of the country by aspirants seeking to join the armed forces. In a series of tweets, he said the government should not play with the security forces to cover up the government's bankruptcy. (PTI)
Jun 17, 2022 18:05 (IST)
Updates: Some Parties Misleading The Youth Over 'Agnipath' Scheme, Says Minister
As violent protests against the 'Agnipath' defence recruitment scheme rocked several states, Union minister and BJP leader Narendra Singh Tomar on Friday said some political parties were trying to "mislead" youths over the issue. He said the scheme was a major reform in the recruitment process in defence forces which has been implemented after 75 years of Independence. (PTI)
Jun 17, 2022 17:43 (IST)
Live: Giriraj Singh Attacks Lalu Yadav's Party Over Violence During 'Agnipath' Protests
Amid widespread protests against the 'Agnipath' defence recruitment scheme in Bihar, BJP leader and Union minister Giriraj Singh today blamed the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for arson and violence, and said the Opposition party will have to answer for its actions. He also urged state governments to identify non-students in the protests and alleged that some political parties have been using students as shield to destroy public assets. "Biharis are dying in RJD's angry protests in which public properties are also being burnt. The RJD will have to answer to Bihar," said Mr Singh, an MP from Begusarai.
Jun 17, 2022 17:40 (IST)
Live Updates: Former Army Chief Targets Opposition Parties Over 'Agnipath' Protests
Amid violent protests in parts of the country over the 'Agnipath' scheme, Union minister and former Army chief General V K Singh (retd) on Friday accused the opposition parties of creating a controversy over the recruitment plan by "provoking" people. Since the Opposition has nothing else to do, it is stoking a controversy over the scheme even before its implementation has started, he alleged.
Jun 17, 2022 17:26 (IST)
'Agnipath' Row Updates: Centre Playing With Nation's Security, Says Bhupesh Baghel
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has questioned the BJP-led Union government's intention in rolling out the 'Agnipath' scheme for military recruitment and asked why it was playing with the security of the country and the future of the youth. Demanding its immediate withdrawal, the Chief Minister said youths, trained in weapons, could indulge in criminal activities when they become jobless after completion of their four-year tenure as part of the scheme. (PTI)
