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Agnipath recruitment scheme protests LIVE: The protests against the new defence recruitment scheme continues across the country. The violent protests which erupted in parts of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana on Thursday continued on Friday. Two trains were torched at Samastipur and Lakhisarai in Bihar by the armed forces aspirants.
The protests come hours after the defence ministry announced a one-time waiver for the upper-age limit of the recruits from 21 to 23. The opposition has targeted the Centre over the Agnipath recruitment scheme. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi slammed the Centre over the scheme, tweeting “No rank, no pension, no direct recruitment for 2 years, no stable future after four years, no respect shown by the government for the army.”
Follow all the updates here:
Jharkhand: Train service briefly disrupted in Jamshedpur, later resumed
Train services were briefly disrupted by the protesters in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur. However, the services were resumed
Watch: Protesters chased away by police in Haryana's Narnaul
#WATCH | Haryana: Police chased away protesters who were agitating in Narnaul against #AgnipathRecruitmentScheme. Protest was also held at Hero Honda Chowk. pic.twitter.com/RPeu02mO0Y
Haryana Police personnel chase away the protesters in Narnaul. Several cities in the state reported violent incidents during protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme. Internet services have been suspended in Ballabhgarh.
North Central Railways issues list of cancelled, terminated trains
The North Central Railways have issued a list of trains which will be controlled
1)12303 Howrah - New Delhi Poorva Express
3) 18622 Ranchi - Patna Patliputra Express
5) 22387 Howrah - Dhanbad Black Diamond Express
8) 13409 Malda Town - Kiul Express
1)12335 Malda Town - Lokmanya Tilak (T) Express
2) 12273 Howrah - New Delhi Duronto Express
Moreover, 13401Bhagalpur - Danapur Intercity Express and 03487 Jamalpur - Kiul DEMU Passenger Special will be short terminated at Dhanauri.
Every mass spontaneous protest a culmination of collective angst, says Karti Chidambaram
“Every mass spontaneous protest is a culmination of collective angst, its not just about the issue of the day, that’s just the tipping point. This is my learning after the #jallikattu protests in Marina Beach,” tweets Congress MP Karti Chidambaram
'Start preparing': Rajnath Singh's appeal to youth amid Agnipath protests
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the recruitment into the military through the Agnipath scheme will begin soon and advised youngsters to start preparation. The minister's statement came as widespread protests against Agnipath continued for the third day across the country. Calling the scheme a ‘golden opportunity’, the defence minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing age waiver for the first batch f the recruitment. Read more
Watch: Protests at Hajipur railway station in Bihar
#WATCH | Bihar: Agitators protested against #AgnipathScheme, at Hajipur railway station today; they were later chased away by Police. "Situation at the moment is alright. Hooligans have been chased away. Some of them have been detained for questioning," says SP Hajipur, Maneesh. pic.twitter.com/W1FnrXqDzj
Protesters chased away by the police at Hajipur railway station in Bihar. According to Hajipur SP Maneesh, the situation at the railway station is under control.
2 people arrested in UP's Auraiya while trying to stage protest
Two people have been arrested in Achalda railway station in Auraiya district while trying to stage protests. This comes amid incidents of train being set on fire in Ballia and reports of buses damaged in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.
North Eastern Railways cancel 12 trains and short terminate 4 trains heading towards violence-hit districts
North Eastern Railways cancelled 12 trains and short terminated 4 trains heading towards Prayagraj, Ballia, Varanasi and other districts in wake of the ongoing Agniveer protest
Bus damaged by protesters in Varanasi
A bus has been damaged by protesters in Varanasi. Earlier in the day, protesters has vandalised vending carts at the Varanasi Cantonment railway station. There have been reports of violence in other parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially Balia where protesters set an isolated train on fire.
Modi can't hear anything except voice of 'friends': Rahul amid Agnipath protests
Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not understand what the people of the country want as he cannot hear anything except the voice of his "friends". He said this a day after the government raised the upper age limit to 23 years from 21 years for recruitment under 'Agnipath', amid protests by youth in several parts of the country against the scheme.
Deputy chief minister Renu Devi's house attacked at Bettiah
Bihar Deputy chief minister Renu Devi house attacked at Bettiah
Secunderabad: Protesters pelt stones at police, 15 injured; Howrah Express bogies torched
Protesters pelt stones at the police in Secunderabad, 15 people injured. Protesters set fire to Howrah Express
Jan Shatabdi Express stopped for five minutes in Mathura
Jan Shatabdi Express, a train was stopped for 5 minutes underneath Narhauli bridge in Mathura district. However train track now normal after protesters moved away. Protest on roads and highway and buses targeted in Mathura district
Four bogies of Ara Patna passenger train torched at Kulharia station
Four bogies of Ara Patna passenger train torched at Kulharia station
Agnipath scheme: What will Agniveers do after 4 yrs of service? Govt shares list
The Centre on Thursday released a list of things that 'Agniveers'- people who will get recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme- can opt for after they have served in either the Army, the Navy or the Air Force. Check full list
Priyanka calls for 'Agnipath' withdrawal, says amendment shows scheme drafted in 'haste'
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Friday attacked the government over the Agnipath scheme, saying the BJP dispensation requiring to amend rules under the scheme soon after its announcement indicates it was imposed on the youth in "haste", and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
UP: Youths vandalise vending carts outside Varanasi Cantonment railway station
A group of youths staged a protest outside Cantt railway station in Varanasi, They vandalized some vending carts, the police controlled the situation and drove away the protestors.
South Central railway authorities stop all trains to Secunderabad
South Central railway authorities have stopped all trains to Secunderabad. Protesters ransack trains in Secunderabad railway station. Set fire to two bogeys Set afire stalls in the railway station. Some passengers injured
Security enhanced on 165 kilometres long track linking Agra with Noida
After buses damaged on Agra Lucknow Express Way on Friday morning, security enhanced on Yamuna Express Way, a 165 kilometer long fast track linking Agra with NOIDA. Mathura police positioned at varied locations
Bihar: 3 bogies of Darbhanga-New Delhi Sampark Kranti Express set on fire at Samastipur railway station
Three bogies of Darbhanga New Delhi Sampark Kranti express set on fire at the outer of Samastipur railway station
UP: Railway police on alert at Mainpuri railway station
Railway police force on alert at Mainpuri railway station after security stepped up in view of trains being targeted by protesters protesting against the Agnipath scheme.
UP: Roadways bus damaged by protesters on Agra-Lucknow Expressway
A UP Roadways bus damaged by students on Agra Lucknow Express Way within limits of Matsena police station in Firozabad district protesting against new recruitment scheme for Indian armed forces.
UP: Protesters torch empty isolated train in Ballia
बलिया रेलवे स्टेशन पर प्रदर्शनकारियों द्वारा किये गये उपद्रव के संबंध में #SPBallia श्री राज करन नय्यर की बाइट।👇👇@Uppolice @adgzonevaranasi @digazamgarh pic.twitter.com/CCXUkw463x
Some students tried to break the window panes and set fire to an empty isolated train in Ballia railway station. The attempts to douse the flames are underway, Ballia SP RK Nayyar told ANI. Full report
PM Modi betrayed the country's youth by announcing Agnipath scheme, alleges AAP
The AAP alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "betrayed" the country's youth with the announcement of ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment into the armed forces, and demanded that the decision be withdrawn, ANI reported. "The Agnipath scheme for army recruitment is a clear betrayal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 20 crore youth of the country. The government has stabbed the youth of the country in their back," AAP MP Sanjay Singh charged.
‘4-year service too short…': Amarinder suggests reviewing Agnipath scheme
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has suggested reviewing the 'Agnipath' scheme for recruitment in defence forces saying "it will dilute the long-existing distinct ethos of regiments." Captain Amarinder Singh, an ex-serviceman, said that "four-year service is too short for a soldier." He wondered why the government of India needed to make such radical changes in the recruitment policy, which has been working so well for the country for so many years."Hiring soldiers for four years, with effective service of three years, is not at all militarily a good idea," ANI quoted the former chief minister.
Haryana: Mobile internet services suspended in Ballabhgarh: Report
Haryana government on Thursday evening ordered the temporary suspension of mobile internet services all SMS services (including bulk SMS, excluding banking and mobile recharge), and all dongle services provided on mobile networks in Ballabhgarh area of Faridabad to maintain law and order and prevent the spread of any kind of rumours, ANI reports
Himachal CM welcomes Agnipath scheme, slams opposition
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and BJP leader Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday hailed the Centre's decision to approve the 'Agnipath' scheme for the recruitment of youth in the Armed Forces. The Chief Minister also questioned the Opposition for opposing the scheme. "I welcome the decision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Agnipath scheme. The Opposition is trying to take this issue in a different direction, politicising it, is not appropriate. It will be an opportunity for the youth across the nation," the Chief Minister told ANI on Thursday.
Bihar: Two bogies of Saharsa Darbhanga passenger train also set ablaze in Supaul
Two bogies of Saharsa Darbhanga passenger train also set ablaze in Supaul
Massive crowd at Ballia railway station to protest against Agnipath scheme
UP: Crowd gathered at Ballia Railway Station in protest against #AgnipathScheme Forces have been deployed at station since morning. A few hooligans reached there but they were stopped from damaging much; they attempted stone-pelting. Action being taken: Ballia DM Saumya Agarwal pic.twitter.com/lSmW74l6tk
Massive crowd gathers at the Ballia railway station in Uttar Pradesh to protest against the Agnipath recruitment scheme. The district magistrate Saumya Agarwal says forces have been deployed at the railway station since morning.
CPI MP urges PM Modi to reconsider Agnipath scheme
CPI Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reconsider the recently announced #AgnipathRecruitmentScheme for induction into the Armed forces pic.twitter.com/oVuLVZp6UX
Communist Party of India MP Binoy Viswam has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to reconsider the Agnipath recruitment scheme. In his letter, the MP has raised several concerns, calling the scheme unfair to the youth from rural areas.