The government launched the Agneepath scheme on June 14 in an effort to modernize the recruitment process of the armed forces. The Center has decided to change the upper age limit for recruitment of Agniveers in response to the opposition’s criticism of the new military recruitment scheme. Here are the most important developments so far related to the Agneepath protest.
Internet services suspended in various areas
Internet services have been suspended in 12 out of 38 districts of Bihar. Taking a precautionary measure after violent protests in Palwal, Haryana government has suspended mobile internet and SMS services for 24 hours in Ballabhgarh area of Faridabad district. Protests were also held in Haryana’s Hisar, Fatehabad and Jhajjar.
Agneepath Scheme: ‘Joint Movement’ at Jantar Mantar on June 20
According to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, a joint agitation will be launched on June 20 at Jantar Mantar in the national capital against the recently announced Agneepath recruitment scheme of the central government.
“A joint agitation will be organized against Agneepath scheme on June 20 at 11 am at Jantar Mantar, Delhi,” Rai said in a tweet.
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Violence at Secunderabad Railway Station
According to the Railway Police, protesters torched a train and damaged railway property during a protest against the Centre’s Agneepath program in Secunderabad, Telangana. Secunderabad Railway SP Anuradha said, “The number of protesters ranged from 1500 to 3000. They were also involved in stone pelting, as a result of which some police officers were injured.”
Opposition to Agneepath plan being due to misunderstanding, says MoS Muraleedharan
Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said the Agneepath initiative was launched by the central government with good intentions, but some people are agitated due to misunderstanding. The Union Minister told the youth that the government is aware of their problems and will do everything possible to solve them.
KTR asks Center to review Agneepath plan
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao on Friday claimed that the Agneepath scheme is crushing the hopes of lakhs of youth who want to join the armed services, and urged the Center to re-evaluate the controversial scheme.
KTR said, “Farmers were not consulted before the implementation of agricultural laws, traders were not consulted before bringing in GST, during demonetisation, the citizens of the country were neglected and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was proposed. But minorities were ignored.”
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UP: 260 held for violence during protests
In Uttar Pradesh, 260 people were arrested and six FIRs were registered in connection with violent protests against the Centre’s Agneepath scheme till June 17. The FIR was registered in Firozabad, Aligarh, Varanasi and Gautam Buddh Nagar (1) districts. ADG (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar Police of five districts detained 260 people based on the FIR.
Protest continues in Rajasthan against Agneepath scheme
Protests against the Centre’s Agneepath plan for military recruitment continued across Rajasthan, with protesters holding rallies, blocking railway tracks and damaging public property. Hundreds of youths blocked the Agra-Bandikui railway track in Bharatpur. Some of them wearing masks pelted stones at police officers, following which the officers had to use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.
Punjab Chief Minister demands immediate withdrawal of Agneepath scheme
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on June 17 called the recent decision of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to adopt the Agneepath scheme in the Indian Army as a step back, asking the central government to reverse its decision in the best interest of the country and the youth. urged. ,
Mann said, “After agriculture (farmer), this is a serious attack on youth (jawani) which is unfair and undesirable. It is a great loss to those Punjabi youth who are always ready to serve their motherland by joining the army. live.”
Bengal on alert due to Agneepath protest
With protests in neighboring Bihar and parts of Bengal over the Centre’s newly introduced Agneepath scheme for recruitment in defense forces, the state government on June 17 directed all district administrations to take precautionary measures to ensure that No law and order should be disturbed anywhere. According to a senior official.
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Section 144 for 2 months in Ballia, UP
Ballia District Magistrate Soumya Agrawal has issued Section 144, which prohibits the gathering of people for the next two months. The district administration released this information in an official statement on Friday evening. The DM has ordered that the police and administrative personnel should inform the public about the order.
340 trains affected across India, 200 canceled
The Railways said on June 17 that over 300 trains have been affected and over 200 trains have to be cancelled, in protest against the Agneepath scheme for recruitment to the defense services. Due to the protest, 94 mail and express trains and 140 passenger trains were cancelled, while 65 mail and express trains and 30 passenger trains were partially cancelled, as per reports. Due to massive protests and arson over the Agneepath program, all trains originating from Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh will be short terminated.
Train compartment fire in UP, buses vandalized
On June 17, youths ransacked trains, vandalized buses and set a police post on fire to protest the Centre’s Agneepath plan in Uttar Pradesh. According to officials, protests took place at 17 places across the state, including Ballia, Aligarh, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Varanasi. Protesters torched a train compartment in Ballia, where police fired tear gas to disperse them and arrested 100 people.
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Why is there opposition to the Agneepath scheme?
Under the Agneepath system, only 25% of the recruits, known as Agneepaths, will be given permanent commission in service, while the rest will be out of work. This is one of the main reasons for the continuation of the protests.
Individuals have expressed concern about the future of their services. Many of these workers favor employment security over competitive pay, which includes retirement benefits and pensions. Most of them will be forced to quit their jobs within four years, which is not in line with their goals.
(with agency input)