Agnipath Stir: Bihar Continues To Boil As Over 600 Arrested So Far, BJP MLAs Get 'Y' Category Security

Violent protests over the scheme continued in Bihar for the fourth consecutive day, with agitators torching vehicles parked on the premises of a police outpost in Jehanabad.

Damaged vehicles seen outside Danapur Railway Station during a protest against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme in Patna

New Delhi: In the wake of widespread agitation over the newly launched Agnipath scheme, a war of words erupted between the ruling allies in Bihar, with BJP state chief Sanjay Jaiswal lashing out at the Nitish Kumar-led coalition government for its “targeted attacks”. Jaiswal said there is nothing wrong in protesting over a certain issue, but targeting people at the behest of the administration and vandalising offices of a particular party is unacceptable.

“What isn't happening in India, is happening in Bihar. I oppose it,” the state BJP chief was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Nothing wrong with opposing, but targeting people at the behest of administration,torching offices of a particular party with police acting as spectators is wrong. What isn't happening in India is happening in Bihar. I oppose it: Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal on Agnipath protest pic.twitter.com/FNKFXZgEqO

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2022

Reacting to his comments, chief of Janata Dal-United (JD-U) Ranjiv Ranjan hit back saying that the government does not have to take lessons from Jaiswal and that the BJP leadership should focus on dispelling the doubts over the new scheme instead.   

“Instead of clearing doubts on the Agnipath scheme, the BJP is accusing the administration… Why not anything against violence in BJP states? Such a reaction shows that he's not stable,” Ranjan said.

Meanwhile, in the light of violent protests, Centre provided 'Y' category security by CRPF to 10 BJP leaders in Bihar, including Deputy chief ministers and some MLAs on Saturday. "CRPF is taking over the security cover from today after it received the Home Ministry's order on Friday," news agency ANI quoted its sources as saying.

Centre provides 'Y' category security by CRPF to 10 BJP leaders in Bihar including Deputy CMs & MLAs. CRPF is taking over the security cover from today after it received the Home Ministry's order on Friday: Sources

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2022

This comes a day after agitating mobs targetted Bihar BJP leaders, including deputy chief minister Renu Devi and party state chief Sanjay Jaiswal over the new military recruitment plan.

Notably, violent protests over the scheme continued in Bihar for the fourth consecutive day, with agitators torching vehicles parked on the premises of a police outpost in Jehanabad district on Saturday.

Sanjay Singh, ADG, Law and Order, said that in three days, around 620 people have been arrested and 130 FIRs have been registered.

Bihar | In three days around 620 people have been arrested and 130 FIRs have been registered. 140 people have been arrested today: Sanjay Singh ADG, Law & Order on protests against #AgnipathRecruitmentScheme pic.twitter.com/w7qXkmqt1k

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2022

According to reports, the 24-hour Bihar bandh called by students' organisations led by All India Students' Association (AISA) demanding immediate rollback of the recruitment scheme is underway.  

The Railways have announced to regulate train services in the state starting 8pm Saturday in the wake of the protests. Internet services were also suspended in 12 districts of the state as a precautionary measure a day back.