Protests against Agnipath – a recruitment plan for the Indian armed forces – turned violent on Thursday as many aspirants in different parts of the country held protests, blocked railway tracks and roads, and vandalised some areas.
In Bihar, it was the most violent for the second consecutive day as trains were set ablaze, traffic disrupted on railways and roads, buses smashed and a BJP MLA was attacked. Violent protests took place in Jehanabad, Nawada, Saharsa, Chapra among others. Protests have taken place in Uttar Pradesh as well.
The short-term recruitment plan was recently launched by the Centre. The protesters demanded withdrawal of the short-term recruitment scheme. At least 22 trains were cancelled and five had to be stopped for the violence involved in the protests. Many held protests with placards saying “Indian Army lovers”, as they rejected the newly-launched recruitment programme.
