Protesters walk on Agnipath as Centre firefights: 1 killed, trains burnt, stations vandalised | Top Points
India Today
One person was killed in police firing, trains were torched, railway stations and highways turned into battlegrounds as youth fury over the Agnipath recruitment scheme continued to blaze across several states.
One person was killed in police firing in Telangana's Secunderabad, trains were torched, railway stations and highways turned into battlegrounds as youth fury over the Agnipath recruitment scheme blazed in several states on Friday.
The Centre unveiled Agnipath on Tuesday, under which most soldiers will leave service in just four years — 45,000 to 50,000 aspirants will be recruited annually but only 25 per cent will be allowed to continue for another 15 years under permanent commission.
The protesters are demanding a rollback of the short-term recruitment scheme, as they are unhappy with the length of service, no pension provisions for those released early and the 17.5 to 21-year age restriction that now makes many of them ineligible.
1. A 24-year-old Army aspirant was killed when Railway Protection Force resorted to aerial firing to disperse a mob of around 2,000 protesters, who pelted stones at trains and committed arson at the Secunderabad railway station in Telangana. At least 13 others were injured in the violent protests.
Train coaches on fire at Secunderabad railway station in Telangana
2. In Bihar, the house of Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi was attacked in West Champaran district. Later, protesters set train coaches on fire in Samastipur, Lakhisarai and Ara. Lakhminia railway station was also vandalised as job aspirants continued to pour into railway stations, blocking tracks and affecting rail services. A BJP office in Madhepura was also torched during the agitation.
READ | Agnipath row: Opposition seeks immediate withdrawal, BJP puts up strong defence of scheme
