More than 10 states walked on 'Agni' path, how Bihar became the stronghold of 'Agniveers'

Delhi: Protests by candidates of the armed forces against the Centre's new military recruitment scheme 'Agneepath' have intensified in many parts of the country. Incidents of violence have been reported from more than 10 states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Telangana, West Bengal and Rajasthan. On Friday, one person also died in Telangana's Secunderabad in the agitation against this scheme. Although the central government has increased the age limit from 17-and-a-half to 21 years to a maximum of 23 years, but the condition of four years' recruitment in military service is in turmoil among the youth across the country. Several trains were set on fire in Bihar. In Aligarh, UP, protesters torched a police post and set a police officer's car on fire. The case of inciting violence through social media also came to light in Kanpur. Internet service has been suspended in some districts of Bihar and Haryana. The security agencies have alerted the Center of the great danger. In the midst of all this, when the Air Force announced the recruitment, then the Army Chief has said to issue the notification for two days.

Internet shutdown in 12 districts of Bihar and Mahendragarh in Haryana

In order to stop the violence against the Agneepath scheme, the Bihar and Haryana governments ordered internet shutdown. Internet will remain closed in 12 districts of Bihar and Mahendragarh district of Haryana. In Bihar, these instructions are applicable for 48 hours and in Haryana for 24 hours. Section 144 has been imposed in Gurugram.

Agencies alerted the states

Security agencies have received inputs of conspiracy and attack amid the violence spread across 13 states. After which the central government has come on alert mode. Along with this, the states have also been instructed to be alert.

Serious sections on miscreants in UP

Yogi Adityanath government in UP has given instructions for strict action against those who spread violence on the road. The Yogi government will impose many serious sections, including attempt to murder, against the miscreants so that strict action can be taken against them.

Fire in many trains, more than 300 affected

Railway officials said at least seven coaches of trains have been torched by the protesters so far. He said coaches of three moving trains in East-Central Railway and an empty rake at Kulharia in the same area were damaged by the protesters. Railways said over 300 trains have been affected, while another 200 trains have been canceled due to opposition to the plan.

Attack on Deputy CM's house in Bihar

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi's house in Bettiah district was attacked by protesters earlier in the day. She then came out in support of the Agneepath scheme and accused the opposition parties of "misleading the students" and said that her goons were destroying public property.

Airforce announces recruitment

Amid the ongoing protests over the Agneepath scheme, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary said the Air Force will start the selection process under the new model on June 24. Earlier, Army Chief General Manoj Pandey said that the first Agniveer of the Army would start training at the recruitment centers by the end of this year.

One killed in firing in Secunderabad

Metro rail services were temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure amid protests in Telangana's capital Hyderabad city. One person died at Secunderabad railway station in firing by police to control the crowd. A senior official told Hindustan Times, “The General Railway Police (GRP) personnel were forced to open fire on the crowd after lathi-charged and fired tear gas shells.

Opposition targets Modi government

Opposition parties attacked the Modi government in protest against the Agneepath scheme. Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), allies in the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in Maharashtra, termed the scheme as a cruel joke with unemployed youth. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the BJP thinks that people go to the army for jobs, in fact youths go to the army with the spirit of patriotism, but what do they know who have not even participated in the freedom movement. On the other hand, AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi has fiercely criticized the Modi government for the new scheme of recruitment in the army, Agneepath. Holding the Modi government responsible for the violence in many parts of the country regarding Agneepath, Owaisi has appealed to the PM to withdraw this scheme.

Didn't expect to face so much opposition: Navy Chief

Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar's big statement came out against the Agneepath plan. The Navy chief said he did not expect such widespread violent protests over the plan. Talking to news agency ANI, the Navy Chief said, 'I did not expect any such protest. We worked on the Agneepath scheme for about one and a half years...'.

Defense Minister, Home Minister tried to address the concerns of the youth

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Army Chief General Manoj Pandey raised concerns about the recruitment scheme.