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

Agnipath scheme protest Highlights: The protest against the scheme continued for third day on Friday with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh being the most hit states.
Protesters at Danapur Railway Station during a stir against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme, in Patna, Bihar, India, on Friday, June 17, 2022. (Photo by Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times)
Protesters at Danapur Railway Station during a stir against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme, in Patna, Bihar, India, on Friday, June 17, 2022. (Photo by Santosh Kumar/Hindustan Times)

Agnipath scheme protest Highlights: Violent protests broke out this week in several states over 'Agnipath' - the centre's controversial new armed forces recruitment scheme - as protesters clashed with security forces, torched or vandalised trains and railway stations and blocked railway tracks and highways. A police station in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh was also torched and the homes of senior BJP figures in Bihar, including deputy chief minister Renu Devi, were attacked. One death was reported from Secuderabad in Telangana, where too the railway station was vandalised, trains were torched and dozens were injured as police fired in the air to disperse crowds. Police in UP fired tear gas at protesters on a major highway and public buses were attacked....Read More

Also Read | Agnipath scheme: What will Agniveers do after 4 yrs of service? Govt shares list

 Protests also erupted in Haryana - where internet services were snapped - Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh - where another railway station was attacked and trains set on fire - and Bengal. Railways officials estimated that hundreds of trains were either cancelled, diverted or terminated before their destination due to the protests. 

Also Read: Agnipath scheme's myths Vs facts as govt explains amid protests

Overall, hundreds have been arrested across various states and a bandh has been called in Bihar. 'Agnipath' has been fiercely criticised by opposition leaders too. The government has defended its policy, explaining that recruits, or 'Agniveers', retiring after four years will be given financial aid. Also, in a nod to protesters' concerns, the government has relaxed the upper age limit from 21 to 23.

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June 18, 2022 10:30 PM IST

Kerala CM urges PM Modi to put ‘Agnipath’ scheme on hold

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”. 

June 18, 2022 9:32 PM IST

Rajasthan unanimously passes resolution against 'Agnipath scheme

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.

June 18, 2022 7:25 PM IST

Agnipath protests, violence politically motivated, says Maha BJP chief

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.

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June 18, 2022 6:52 PM IST

Bihar deputy CMs get ‘Y’ category security cover after attacks

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

June 18, 2022 5:54 PM IST

Karnataka to induct ‘Agniveers’ into state police after 4 yrs: Minister

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.

June 18, 2022 4:33 PM IST

Train services to be regulated in Bihar starting 8pm today

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.

June 18, 2022 2:56 PM IST

Def min approves proposal to reserve 10% of job vacancies for ‘Agniveers’, announces Rajnath Singh

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.

June 18, 2022 2:35 PM IST

Carry out stir ‘peacefully’: Hospitalised Sonia Gandhi to protestors

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.

June 18, 2022 2:22 PM IST

Bihar Police probing coaching centres' role in ‘Agnipath’ violence

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.

June 18, 2022 1:56 PM IST

Agnipath protests: Hut burnt, furniture vandalised at Ludhiana railway station, six detained

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

June 18, 2022 1:42 PM IST

Bihar bandh: Sporadic violence by Agnipath protestors amid tight security

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

June 18, 2022 1:39 PM IST

Bihar Police probing role of coaching centres in inciting violence

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.

June 18, 2022 1:20 PM IST

Situation getting normal again, says Bihar deputy CM on Agnipath protest

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

June 18, 2022 1:19 PM IST

Need to strengthen Railways Act and we will take action on this, says Railway Minister on damage to trains

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.

June 18, 2022 1:09 PM IST

Meeting between Rajnath Singh and services chiefs ends: Report

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

June 18, 2022 1:06 PM IST

Telangana: Over 100 arrested for involvement in violence at Secunderabad railways station

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

June 18, 2022 1:01 PM IST

Agnipath protests: Eastern Railway cancels 13 trains originating from Bengal

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

June 18, 2022 12:49 PM IST

Bihar: Protesters try to burn Masaurhi railway station on Patna-Gaya route

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

June 18, 2022 12:47 PM IST

‘Roll-back the ill-thought…': AAP MP writes to Rajnath Singh over Agnipath scheme

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

June 18, 2022 12:43 PM IST

Watch: Protest near War Memorial in Chennai

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

June 18, 2022 12:40 PM IST

UP: Protesters assemble at Lucknow-Agra Expressway in Kannauj

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

June 18, 2022 12:39 PM IST

Bihar: Protesters torch vehicles parked near police outpost in Jehanabad

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.

June 18, 2022 12:21 PM IST

‘Simple assurance from the govt…’: Ex-union minister Yashwant Sinha on Agnipath scheme

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."

June 18, 2022 12:10 PM IST

Vandalism incidents resulted in losses worth ₹200 crores, says Indian Railways

“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

June 18, 2022 12:06 PM IST

8 more trains including those originating from Bihar & Bengal cancelled, says Eastern Railways

"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.

June 18, 2022 11:52 AM IST

Agnipath protests: Rajnath to meet three services chiefs

Defence minister Rajnath Singh to hold meet with the three services chiefs over the Agnipath scheme. The meeting comes amid violent protests in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana

June 18, 2022 11:46 AM IST

Violence-hit Secunderabad railway station under tight security cover, train services resume

Train services at Secunderabad Railway Station, which witnessed arson and violence resulting in the death of a protester aspiring to join the armed forces, are limping back to normalcy, a senior official of the South Central Railway said on Saturday, PTI reported.

June 18, 2022 11:40 AM IST

80 people identified for role in Agnipath violence, says Bihar Police official

“Heavy damage to public property occurred amid protest against #AgnipathScheme. Security forces deployed at crucial spots. Those involved in violence are being identified through video footage. 80 people have been identified so far,” says Abhinav Dhiman, ASP, Danapur

June 18, 2022 11:34 AM IST

Bihar bandh: Police on high alert, internet services suspended in 12 districts

The Bihar police has sounded high alert in the entire state over the Bihar bandh called by job aspirants on Saturday against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for short-term appointments in the armed forces, officials said adding that internet services have been suspended in 12 out of 38 districts in the state which have been identified as the worst affected ones. Read more

June 18, 2022 11:22 AM IST

Delhi Police arrests man for 'instigating' Agnipath protesters in Delhi

The Delhi Police has arrested a man for allegedly making an inflammatory speech and instigating youths protesting against the Agnipath Scheme here, officials said on Saturday, PTI reported. Police said Surender Sharma alias Fauji made the alleged speech Friday morning to a gathering of 50-60 agitators during the protest near the gate of the MCD office in Baba Haridas Nagar.

June 18, 2022 11:17 AM IST

Plea filed in Supreme Court seeking SIT probe into violent protests against Agnipath scheme

Plea moved in Supreme Court seeking directions to setup a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to enquire about the violent protests against the #AgnipathRecruitmentScheme launched by the Govt, and to enquire about the damage caused to the public property including that of Railways, reports ANI

June 18, 2022 11:13 AM IST

Violence and arson not the solution, says IAF chief on Agnipath protests

"...Resorting to violence&arson is not solution. If they have doubts, there are military stations, Air Force bases, Naval bases around. They can go to them,get their doubts clarified..." IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari tells ANI.

June 18, 2022 11:05 AM IST

Cong's Hanumanth Rao slams Centre over Agnipath violence, seeks PM Modi's resignation

“In last eight years 16 crore job has to come, you (Center Government) didn't give that and now in defence, you are making limitation of four years, what will be the situation after four years. After being removed from the defence what work will they get? I don't understand, how come you don't have money for providing permanent jobs to youth in defence. It's a shameful act, Narendra Modi if you are not able to manage then just give your resignation,” Cong's Hanumanth Rao tells ANI.

June 18, 2022 10:59 AM IST

'Many advantages of Agnipath scheme…': IAF chief on the new defence recruitment policy

“For the IAF in particular, we will benefit from having to select the more technically qualified people for their particular job that they are going to do in future in the Air Force,” Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari tells news agency ANI. 

June 18, 2022 10:55 AM IST

Wrote letter to Rajnath highlighting the concerns of armed forces aspirants, Centre did nothing: Priyanka

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has tweeted a screenshot of a letter she wrote to Defence minister Rajnath Singh on March 29, highlighting the anxiousness of the youth aspiring to join the forces. Vadra claimed the government didn't do anything on the issue. 

June 18, 2022 10:40 AM IST

Agnipath protest: 2 more trains cancelled

13240 Kota Patna Express and Avadh express cancelled by Railways from initial station in view of ongoing agitation nationwide against Agnipath recruitment scheme for Indian armed forces.

June 18, 2022 10:35 AM IST

Centre has to take this back, the way it revoked farm laws: Owaisi on Agnipath scheme

"Agnipath scheme is absolutely wrong decision taken by the Government and it is not good for the country at all. PM Modi thinks that our Navy officers and soldiers are contractual employees or contractual lecturers, but their profession is honourable," AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi told ANI.

June 18, 2022 10:29 AM IST

KCR announces ₹25 lakh ex gratia for kin of youth killed in Agnipath protest: Report

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao on Friday announced 25 lakh ex-gratia to kin of the youth who was allegedly killed in the Railway Police firing while participating in a dharna against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme recently introduced by the Central government.

June 18, 2022 10:15 AM IST

'Mafiveer PM will have to take back Agnipath', warns Rahul Gandhi

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday continued his attack on the government over the controversial 'Agnipath' armed forces recruitment scheme, this time taking a swipe at 'Mafiveer' prime minister Narendra Modi and warning the government it will be forced to scrap the new military policy in the same way it was forced to withdraw the three farm laws. Read more

June 18, 2022 9:55 AM IST

Congress to stage sit in against Agnipath scheme

Congress leaders to stage ‘satyagraha' on Sunday at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the youth protesting against Agnipath Recruitment Scheme. All MPs, CWC members, and AICC office bearers will participate, according to the statement.

June 18, 2022 9:43 AM IST

‘Deployed security forces at crucial spots'

We have deployed security forces at crucial spots. We appeal to students to protest peacefully. FIR filed against 170 people, 46 arrested for vandalisation at Danapur railway station. Strict action to be taken against those involved in violence, says Chandrashekhar Singh, Patna DM, as per ANI.

June 18, 2022 9:42 AM IST

10% reservation for 'Agniveers' in CAPF, Assam Rifles, says centre

Faced with protests over the employability of 'Agniveers' after their four-year tour of duty, the centre has said 10% of jobs in the Central Armed Police Force and Assam Rifles will be reserved for them. The centre has also decided to relax upper age limits for recruitment to these forces for three years; this applies to 'Agniveers' only. In addition, the first batch of 'Agniveers' will benefit from a five-year relaxation of upper age limit, the home ministry said.

June 18, 2022 9:35 AM IST

UP Police appeal to protesters

Anand Prakash Tiwari, the joint CP of Kanpur Police, has urged students 'not to indulge' in violence. "All boys associated with such WhatsApp groups (those police say are being used to spread rumours and violence) have been identified. I appeal to all the students not to indulge in any such act," he told ANI, adding, "We will investigate such people who are planning these illegal activities and will take actions against them as per law."

June 18, 2022 9:32 AM IST

Bandh in Bihar

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 'Agnipath' scheme. The bandh has been backed by the opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, while ex-Bihar chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi said his Hindustan Awam Morcha-Secular - an ally of the ruling BJP - will also back the bandh.

June 18, 2022 9:30 AM IST

Case against protesters in Secunderabad

 

Police have filed a case against anti-'Agnipath' protesters in Telangana's Secunderabad, where one agitator was killed and several others, including cops, injured in the violence. A train was set on fire the Secunderabad Railway Station was damaged in the protests. Protestors also vandalised a TSRTC bus at Secunderabad bus station. Anuradha, a Secunderabad Railway Police official, told news agency ANI: "Around 1500 to 3000 people protested. They held stone-pelting also in which some police personnel got injured."

June 18, 2022 9:29 AM IST

6 FIRs, 260 arrests in UP so far

Six FIRs have been registered across four UP districts in connection with violent protests against the 'Agnipath' scheme, news agency ANI reported. 260 people have been arrested so far.

June 18, 2022 9:29 AM IST

Protesters try to set bus on fire in UP's Jaunpur

A large mob staged a demonstration against the 'Agnipath' and 'Agniveer' scheme in Sikrara area of Jaunpur this morning. They threw stones and tried to set a bus on fire. A big police force has reached the spot.

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