New Delhi: After five days of violent agitation in around 10 states against the military's new recruitment scheme 'Agnipath. some groups have called for a nationwide shutdown - for 'Bharat Bandh' today. This comes after the three defence chiefs made it clear on Sunday that the scheme will not be rolled back. After the centre's announcement of the new 'Agnipath' scheme, angry mobs, especially in Bihar, burned trains, vandalised railway stations, and damaged properties as they pressurised the government to withdraw the Agnipath scheme.
In the wake of the ongoing furore by the military aspirants and the call for Bharat Bandh today, states have tightened their security. Here's how the states have prepared for the 24-hour Bharat Bandh called by some student organisations today.
- The Gautam Buddh Nagar police have imposed CrPC section 144 in the district and asked people to not engage in any activity which disrupts law and order.FIR would be registered against any person found engaged in activities in violation of law and strict action would be taken against them.
- Kerala police on Sunday said its entire force would be on duty to arrest anyone engaging in violence or destruction of public property. State police chief (SPC) Anil Kant issued guidelines to the personnel to prevent violence against the public as well as forced closure of businesses, a release issued by the State Police Media Centre said. The SPC directed district police chiefs to ensure protection to courts, KSEB offices, KSRTC, private buses as well as government offices and institutions on June 20.
- 350 trains have been cancelled in Bihar which saw violent protests over the new scheme. The Bihar government has also increased security at party offices considered vulnerable. Internet services remain shut in 20 districts.
- Amid the call for Bharat Bandh, in Jharkhand, schools have been shut on Monday. The ongoing examinations of Classes 9 and 11 have also been postponed.
- According to a PTI report, near Delhi's Faridabad, police spokesperson Sube Singh said they are trying to avert any untoward incident. Roadblocks have been set up in various places and more than 2,000 policemen will be fielded today.
- In Noida, a group of ex-servicemen submitted a memorandum to authorities demanding strict against anti-social elements involved in the violence during protests against the Centre's new scheme for recruitment of soldiers in the Army, Navy, and Air Force. So far, 225 people have been booked and 15 arrested in connection with the violent protest at the Jewar toll plaza on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on Friday.
- On Sunday, the Congress held a 'Satyagraha' in the national capital in support of those protesting the scheme, with party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra urging the youth to recognise "fake nationalists" and ensure that a new government is formed in the country which shows "real patriotism".
Prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed in the Jaipur police commissionerate area on Sunday in the wake of the protests against the Centre's Agnipath scheme for soldiers' recruitment for four years.Ajaypal Lamba, Additional Commissioner of Jaipur Police, issued the orders to impose section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) from 6 pm on Sunday to midnight of August 18.
- As many as 35 WhatsApp groups that were allegedly spreading fake news about the Agnipath military recruitment scheme were on Sunday banned by the government, officials said.
- Ruling out the rollback of the 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme despite widespread protests, the three services of the military on Sunday came out with a broad schedule of enrolment under the new policy and asserted that it was aimed at bringing down the age profile of the armed forces.
(with PTI inputs)