Govt offers measures for Agniveers as protesters torch trains, vandalise stations | Top points
India Today
Violent protests against the Agnipath scheme have spread to several states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana and West Bengal.
As protests against the Agnipath scheme entered Day 4, buses and trains were vandalised and torched in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Haryana. Over 350 trains were cancelled across the country.
More than 60 train coaches, 10 engines and some stations have been torched by groups protesting against the introduction of the new recruitment system in Bihar. Here are the top developments of the day.
1) Bihar, which witnessed violent protests over the military recruitment scheme, stopped train services today and will suspend them again from 4 am tomorrow till 8 pm. Taregana railway station in Patna was vandalised, and several police officials were injured as protesters pelted stones. Job aspirants also did push-ups on railway tracks in Patna.
An AajTak team covering the ongoing protests was allegedly attacked by protesters outside Taregna railway station on Saturday. The Centre has also granted Y-category security to 12 BJP leaders in the state after Deputy CM's residence and party office was attacked by protesters.
Meanwhile, internet services will remain suspended in 12 districts of Bihar till June 19. As many as 718 protesters have been arrested so far.
2) At least 369 trains were cancelled today as agitation over the Agnipath scheme continued despite assurances by the government.
3) In Uttar Pradesh, the police arrested 250 people over the violence and registered cases against 400 unknown people after violent protests. The agitators had set a rail coach on fire in Ballia, where police lobbed teargas shells to disperse them.
