Tensions escalated in three states on the third day of protests against the new Agnipath military recruitment scheme. In Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, trains were set on fire by demonstrators amid heightened tensions on Friday.
To quell the agitation, in Telangana's Secunderabad, police had to resort to use of firing. The power supply to the Secunderabad railway station was stopped. The Southern railways have also discontinued trains to the area.
Videos posted by news agency ANI showed officials trying to douse flames after a train was set on fire amid fierce confrontation between cops and protesters. Some demonstrators are believed to be injured. Visuals of vandalism at the train station also captured the intensity of protests.
In Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, an isolated coach was targeted, cops said, even as they tried reasoning with the agitating youth. However, authorities swung in action to pacify the situation. Some buses were damaged on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway too. Security was heightened at the Mainpuri Railway station too.
{{/usCountry}}In Uttar Pradesh's Ballia, an isolated coach was targeted, cops said, even as they tried reasoning with the agitating youth. However, authorities swung in action to pacify the situation. Some buses were damaged on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway too. Security was heightened at the Mainpuri Railway station too.
{{/usCountry}}In Varanasi, hundreds of youth took out a protest march in the Cholapur area. Hundreds of youth took out a march in protest against Agniveer recruitment scheme in Cholapur area of Varanasi
Bihar woke up to violent demonstrations. A video captured chaos at the Hajipur station. Nitish Kumar's JDU, BJP's coalition partner in the state, has urged the central government for a rethink on the scheme.
Trains were also torched at Lakhisarai and Samastipur stations by the aspirants.