Agnipath protests Highlights: Rajasthan unanimously passes resolution to withdraw ‘Agnipath’ scheme

Kerala chief minister Pinrayi Vijayan has requested PM Narendra Modi to put ‘Agnipath’ scheme on hold, and said that the ongoing protests are a “clear indication of the sentiments of India's youngsters”. 

Rajasthan's council of ministers unanimously passed a resolution that the new recruitment ‘Agnipath’ scheme must be withdrawn keeping in mind the larger public interest and the sentiments of the youths, a release said.

The violent protests against Agnipath, the Centre's new military recruitment scheme, are politically motivated and registration of criminal cases against those indulging in arson and damaging public property will make it "extremely difficult" for them to get jobs in future, Maharashtra BJP president Chandrakant Patil was quoted as saying by PTI.

Bihar deputy chief minister Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi get ‘Y’ category security cover after attacks over ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme.

Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra said on Saturday that the government will induct ‘Agniveers’ into state police after completion of their service in the ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme. “I condemn the protests that are happening to oppose this scheme,” the minsiter added.

Train services in Bihar will run between 8pm of June 18 (Saturday) and 4am of June 19 (Sunday), and again between 8pm of June 19 and 8pm of June 20 (Monday), East central railways said in a press release. The decision was made in wake of the violent protests against ‘Agnipath’ scheme in Bihar, and for the safety of passengers and railway property.

Defence ministry has given a go-ahead to a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the department for ‘Agniveers’ meeting required eligibility criteria, defence minister Rajnath Singh announced on Saturday. 

"The 10% reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings. This reservation would be in addition to existing reservation for ex-servicemen," the tweet further read. Read more.

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, who is currently hospitalised with Covid-19 complications, appealed to the Agnipath protestors to carry out their stir “peacefully” and in a “non-violent manner”. In a statement, she said that she is “sad” that the Centre ignored the voice of the protestors and announced the new recruitment scheme. “Indian National Congress is with you,” Gandhi added.

Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh said on Saturday that video footage and WhatsApp messages of some coaching centres were found from who who have been arrested in connection with the vandalisation at Danapur railway station. “We're probing the role of coaching centres based on that content,” he added. Read more.

Protesting against the Centre’s contentious Agnipath recruitment scheme, a mob set fire to a hut and vandalised furniture at the Ludhiana railway station on Saturday. Six rioters have been detained. Read more

The Bihar bandh called on Saturday in support of the defence job aspirants’ demand for a rollback of the Centre’s Agnipath scheme witnessed sporadic incidents of violence in the state amid tight security arrangements by the police even as youngsters mostly stayed away from protests following security alertness. Read more

Bihar Police on Saturday said it is probing the role of coaching centres in inciting violent protests against the Centre's Agnipath recruitment scheme in the state. Students' organisations in Bihar, led by the All India Students' Association, have called a 24-hour Bihar bandh today demanding an immediate rollback of the new recruitment scheme in the military launched this week by the government. Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh said an FIR was filed against 170 people, out of whom 46 were arrested for vandalism at Danapur railway station.

Situation is getting normal again. Vandalism & arson incidents are unfortunate. The Centre has made a good scheme for youth, it'll provide them many benefits. We appeal to the people of Bihar to maintain peace, says Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad on protest against Agnipath scheme

The government will take action towards further strengthening the Railways Act to protect the property of the national carrier, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Saturday said, as Agnipath protesters disrupted train services in parts of the country and damaged assets.

The meeting between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the service chiefs, concludes, reports ANI

Telanga Police arrested more than 100 protestors accused of involvement in arson at Secunderabad railway station, yesterday. Special teams formed to nab accused, search operation underway. FIR registered by Railway police against protestors who torched vehicles, reports ANI

Thirteen trains, including two Shatabdi Express trains, scheduled to leave from Howrah and other stations in West Bengal on Saturday, have been cancelled due to Agnipath protests, railway officials said. Read more

In Bihar, bandh supporters try to burn Masaurhi railway station on Patna-Gaya route . Partial damage reported to station.  More than a dozen vehicles parked outside Taregana station set on fire besides railway premises including station master cabin and others

Aam Aadmi Party's Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha writes letter to defence minister Rajnath Singh demanding rollback of Agnipath recruitment scheme.

Protests against Agnipath near War Memorial in Chennai. The protesters were removed by the police and detained. 

Anti Agnipath protestors have assembled at Lucknow Agra Expressway near Saurikh in Kannauj. Police are trying to prevent them blocking the highway.

Violent anti-Agnipath protests continued rocking Bihar for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, with agitators torching vehicles parked on the premises of a police outpost in Jehanabad district, officials said.

A large number of protestors gathered outside Tehta police outpost around 8.30 AM and started pelting security personnel with stones. Later, they set several vehicles, including a bus and a truck, on fire, they said.

Former union minister Yashwant Sinha tweets,"Simple assurance from the govt should be that all agneeveers will after 4 years be absorbed in the armed forces and central security forces if they so wish. The number of agneeveers recruited every year shd be fixed accordingly."

“Vandalism incidents in railway premises have led to losses of over Rs.200 crore, 50 coaches & 5 engines completely burnt & went out of service. Platforms, computers & various technical parts damaged. Some trains were cancelled," Prabhat Kumar, DRM, Danapur Rail Division

"Due to ongoing agitation against #AgnipathScheme in East Central Railway jurisdiction, eight more trains including six originating from different cities of West Bengal and two originating from cities in Bihar have been cancelled today, June 18", CPRO, Eastern Railway said.