IN PICS | Defence aspirants protest 'Agnipath' plan; road, rail traffic disrupted across country

News of the Agnipath scheme, which was approved by the PM-led cabinet committee on June 14, has triggered unprecedented protests in several states across India. Under the scheme, around 46,000 soldiers will be recruited this year between the ages of 17 and a half years and 21 years into the three services. Armed forces aspirants are protesting against the scheme for its limited term of employment followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.

Updated on:

17 Jun 2022, 10:23 am

2 min read

The protesters are unhappy with the changes in the 'Agnipath' scheme, particularly 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. Earlier, youths between 16-and-a-half years and 21 were selected for a minimum of 15 years of service and were eligible for pension. (Security personnel detain Indian Youth Congress activists during their protest against the Agnipath scheme, at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on June 17. Photo | EPS)

Protests broke out in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur and Buxar on June 15. In the last 24 hours, protests have spread to Jammu, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and several other parts of Bihar. (Photo | EPS)

In Bihar, angry aspirants blocked railway tracks, damaged rail property, and threw burning tyres on roads. On June 16, protests were reported from Jahanabad, Buxar, Muzaffarabad, Bhojpur, Saran, Munger, Nawada and Kaimur. Protesters also attacked the vehicle of Warsaliganj BJP MLA Aruna Devi. She escaped unhurt. (A train was set on fire by youngsters in protest against the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme at Lakhisarai Railway Station, in Bihar, on June 17. Photo | PTI)

A 1,000-strong mob protesting against the 'Agnipath' scheme vandalized property at the Gwalior railway station in Madhya Pradesh state forcing the police to resort to lathi-charge. (Photo | PTI)

In Uttar Pradesh, a mob entered a railway station in Ballia this morning and set a train coach on fire, and also damaged railway station property before the police used force to disperse them. (Photo | PTI)

The protests spread to BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh and Haryana. Internet, phone and SMS services were snapped on June 16 for 24 hours in Palwal district, Haryana. (Security personnel detain Indian Youth Congress members during their 'Mashal March' against the government's newly introduced 'Agnipath' scheme, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on June 17. Photo | PTI)

The house of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi was vandalised in Bettiah in Bihar's West Champaran district amid protests against the new recruitment scheme that has set off a firestorm. The minister was in Patna at the time. (Photo | ANI)