Agnipath Protest: Trains Set Ablaze, Violence Continues In Bihar And Uttar Pradesh | Latest Update

The protests spread across other states as well. UP’s Ballia also witnessed vandalism at the railway station as police tried to control the situation.

The protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme continue to rock several states as aspirants set a train on fire in Bihar’s Lakhminia. The incident took place on Friday morning when the agitated youth took to the streets and torched a railway station in Bihar, news agency ANI reported. The protestors also blocked many trains which led to disruption in the trains’ schedule.

According to a report by ANI, the protests spread to other parts as well. In Begusarai, the agitated youth blocked the Rajbara Gumti road. The movement of trains was affected as agitating protestors chose to voice their concerns by sitting on the railway tracks. Roads were also blocked at many places. During the protest, a tire was burnt on the railway track. Students created a huge ruckus at Sahebpurkamal railway station in the district as well as arson and stone-pelting.

Lakhisarai also witnessed a similar scenario as the protestors marched in the streets. 

Local police officials who were present at the spot told ANI, "They were stopping me from shooting a video and even snatched away my phone. About 4-5 compartments are affected. Passengers alighted and managed to proceed on their own."

The protests ignited on Wednesday after the central government announced a short-term contractual recruitment scheme for defence services. However, the situation did not get better even after the government extended the age limit from 21 to 23 years on Thursday evening. 

Meanwhile, the protests spread across other states as well. UP’s Ballia also witnessed vandalism at the railway station as police tried to control the situation. 

As per an ANI report, "Forces have been deployed at the station since morning. A few hooligans reached there but they were stopped from damaging much of the public property. They attempted stone-pelting. Action being taken," Ballia District Magistrate Saumya Agarwal said.

Similar protests erupted in the Kangra and Hamirpur districts of Himachal Pradesh. 

The recruitment of 'Agniveers' would begin in the next 90 days and the first batch will be ready by July 2023. "The government should give 'Agniveers' 20-30 percent reservation in other jobs once they are out of service after four years under the 'Agnipath' scheme", said a protester, ANI reported.