No logistical support, Agnipath rallies may be shifted to other states: Army to Punjab

Army authorities clearly told the Punjab government that if they failed to get the requisite assistance from the state government, the rallies could be held in the neighbouring states.

Army’s zonal recruitment officer in Jalandhar wrote a letter to the Punjab chief secretary VK Janjua informing that the army authorities were not getting the requisite logistical support from the local civil administration during the recruitment rallies.

Army authorities clearly told the Punjab government that if they failed to get the requisite assistance from the state government, the rallies could be held in the neighbouring states. The letter said that the local administration had no directions from the state government on the issue of the Agnipath recruitment drive besides the funds.

The Army authorities have sought assistance to organise these rallies in the form of police assistance to control the crowd and maintain law and order. The other amenities being sought include medical assistance, water and toilets, besides the food for the candidates.

Agnipath recruitment rallies were recently held in Ludhiana and drive was underway in Gurdaspur besides Patiala. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann had termed the recruitment scheme as 'whimsical' and an 'irrational move' of the NDA government which will destroy the basic fabric of the Indian Army. He gave this statement in the state assembly.

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When asked about the same, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "If the central government has implemented it, we will cooperate fully.We will see what the whole matter is."

"If the central government has implemented, we will cooperate fully, we will see what is the whole matter," he said.