Opposition to Agneepath scheme: Highway blocked, rail traffic disrupted; Protests against ‘Agneepath’ scheme in many states Patna News – Times of India

Nawada: Protests continued for the second day on Thursday in many parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh against the Centre’s Agneepath recruitment scheme.
The protest which started from Bihar has now spread to Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. Violence was reported from Chhapra, Jehanabad, Munger and Nawada in Bihar.

The protesters are demanding the withdrawal of the army’s scheme under which the youth will get a 4-year term in the armed forces. They will also be entitled to monetary benefits at the end of their 4 year tenure.

Candidates stated that they are unhappy with the changes introduced under the new recruitment scheme Indian Army – Notably the length of service, no pension provision for those released early, and the 17.5 to 21 age restriction that now renders many of them ineligible.

A protester in Munger told ANI, “We demand that the recruitment should be done as before. The Tour of Duty (TOD) should be withdrawn and the exam should be conducted as before. One can join the army for just four years. will not be taken.”

Another protester in Bihar’s Jehanabad said, “Where will we go after working for just four years… After serving for four years we will be homeless. That’s why we have blocked the roads, the leaders of the country will now know that People are aware.”

“We work hard to join the armed forces. How about serving four years, with months of training and leave? How will we defend the country after being trained for just three years? The government has to implement this scheme. Will have to withdraw,” said another aspirant.

Agneepath Scheme Controversial, carries many risks, says Congress
The Congress on Thursday hit out at the government over the Agneepath scheme to recruit soldiers on a short-term basis, saying it takes many risks and destroys the age-old traditions and ethos of the armed forces, and may be a matter of “money”. Is. intelligent and security fool”. Congress leader P Chidambaram said retired defense officers have almost unanimously opposed the plan, and believes that many serving officers share similar views.
Police vehicles set on fire in Palwal
People took to the streets in Palwal, Haryana against the Agneepath scheme to recruit youth in the defense services. After this, the policemen posted at the DC residence in Palwal fired in the air to warn the protesters who were pelting stones at the residence. Several police vehicles were torched in stone pelting, several roadways buses were damaged and National Highway 19 was also blocked. To control the crowd, the police fired tear gas shells and fired in the air.
Road jam in Bihar, train service disrupted
Protesters disrupted rail and road traffic in Bihar’s Jehanabad, Buxar and Nawada districts.
In Chhapra, youths vandalized the bus by burning tires in protest against the plan.

The protesters lied on railway tracks in Jehanabad and Buxar districts and blocked the movement of trains on Patna-Gaya and Patna-Buxar routes.
However, the Bihar Police along with their railway counterparts immediately cleared the protesters from the tracks.
Hundreds of agitators blocked National Highway 83 in Jehanabad and burnt tyres, demanding the cancellation of the scheme. They took out processions in three districts and other parts of the state.

Protesters blocked Gurugram-Jaipur highway
Hundreds of youth took to the streets in Bilaspur and Sidhrawali areas of Gurugram and Rewari to protest against the ‘Agneepath’ scheme.
Protesters virtually occupied bus stands and roads on the Gurugram-Jaipur highway, and held protests at Bilaspur Chowk.

Students protest at many places in UP

Protests have started in some districts of Uttar Pradesh against the ‘Agneepath’ scheme.
Students blocked GT Road in Bulandshahr and raised slogans demanding withdrawal of the scheme allowing short-term recruitment in the armed forces.
The district authorities had a hard time persuading the protesters to end the blockade. The protesters submitted a memorandum to the District Magistrate.
In Gonda, protests were led by students who held placards and raised slogans against the plan.
Similarly in Unnao too, protests were held with students and unemployed youth demanding that the traditional method of recruitment be done instead of short-term contract.
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Agneepath Recruitment Scheme, which provides Indian youth an opportunity to serve in the regular cadre of the Armed Forces for a period of four years.
The scheme is designed to enable a youth profile of the Armed Forces and provide a new lease of ‘Josh’ and ‘Jazbaa’, while also bringing about a transformative shift towards a more tech-savvy Armed Forces – Which is really the need of the hour.
Selection will be the exclusive jurisdiction of the Armed Forces. Total 46,000 agniveer Recruitment will be done this year.
During this period of service to the nation, Agniveers will be bestowed with various military skills and experience, discipline, physical fitness, leadership qualities, courage and patriotism.

with agency input