New Delhi, 17th June 2022: The opposition to the new scheme ‘Agnipath’ of recruitment in the Indian army is increasing continuously. On Thursday, there was a lot of uproar in UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Uttarakhand regarding this scheme. Protesters in Bihar set a train bogie on fire while violence erupted in Haryana’s Palwal.
In view of the protest against Agnipath scheme, Haryana Government has ordered the suspension of mobile internet services, all SMS services in view of the possible law and order situation. The order will remain in force for the next 24 hours with immediate effect i.e. up to 4:30 pm (June 18).
One person died in police firing in Secunderabad against the Agnipath plan. The first casualties were the protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme, which burned trains, vandalized public property and blocked thousands of tracks and highways in several states for the third day on Friday.
Raja Rao, superintendent of Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana, said that of the 13 people brought to the hospital, one died. The condition of one of the injured is critical, he has suffered a chest injury.
Protesters set fire to train at Lakhisarai Junction in Bihar while protesting against Agnipath Scheme. Police says they were stopping them from shooting a video and also snatched their phone. 4-5 coaches are affected in the fire. The passengers got off and managed to proceed on their own.
On the protest against Agnipath, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said, “I appeal to the youth not to indulge in violent protests and damage railway property. Railway is the property of the country.”
Ministry of Railways in its statement informed that “Coaches of three running trains in ECR along with one empty rake in Kulharia (ECR) (Bihar), one stationary coach in washing line at Ballia (UP), all these rolling stock have suffered losses so far. It would be difficult to assess and compile the loss of fixed assets so quickly.”
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi, whose house was attacked informed that “After completing 4 years, Agniveers will be given an economic package of 12 lakhs to start afresh. They will be given priority for loans, educational courses, CAPFs.” “The opposition is misleading the students and their goons are destroying public property,” she added further.
In Sangrur, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, “We oppose this scheme. How can we make our soldiers ex-servicemen at the age of 21 only? They defend the country in severe conditions. Politicians never retire, only soldiers do. I would appeal to withdraw the Agnipath scheme. Our boys want to join the army, respect their patriotism, let them work as long as they are able to protect the country.”