Agnipath protest Live Updates: House of Bihar Deputy CM Renu Devi, state BJP chief attacked; policemen injured

Condemning the decision of NDA government to implement Agnipath scheme in the Indian armed forces as "a retrogressive step", Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday sought its roll back its decision in the larger interest of the country and the youth.

After the death of a 19-year-old during the Agnipath scheme protests, the Telangana police detained several agitators from the Secunderabad Railway Station.

As protests against Agnipath scheme turn violent, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar said, “I want to tell people to not protest and not be violent. They should understand the scheme and remain peaceful. This is a great opportunity for the youth to serve the country.”

Agnipath violence erupts in Delhi: "Buses targeted while attempts were made to vandalize them on Waziarabad road in North-east Delhi's Khajuri area as people protested against Agnipath scheme. Police reached the spot & controlled the situation. Case of riot being filed against miscreants," said Delhi Police, as per ANI reports.

Agnipath protests in Haryana: The Haryana government has issued a notice, suspending internet and SMS services in the state for the next 24 hours in view of the threat to the law and order situation over the army recruitment violence.

Amid the rise in violent protests and the burning of train coaches over the Agnipath scheme, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, "I appeal to the youth to not indulge in violent protests and not damage the property of the Railways. Railways are the property of the country."

As the violent protests against the Agnipath scheme rage on in several states, the home of Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi was attacked by angry agitators. The residence of state BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal was also attacked, and several policemen in the state are injured.

Agnipath protests turn deadly in Telangana after one person died and several were left injured in the Secunderabad as people continue their violent agitations against the army recruitment program launched by the Centre. The police also fired warning shots into the air to disperse the crowd.

Amid the Agnipath scheme protests raised by the AISA in New Delhi, the DMRC has decided to shut down several entry and exit gates of Delhi Metro stations for security purposes. Leaders from AAP student wing have also been detained by the police amid agitiations. 

Agnipath protests turn violent in Uttar Pradesh: Protestors staging demonstrations against the military recruitment scheme set ablaze the Jattari police station building and a police vehicle in the Aligarh cities, as per ANI reports. 

As protests against the Agnipath scheme rage on, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the PM "doesn't listen to anyone over the voices of his friends".

Bihar Agnipath protest: Sanjay Singh, ADG Law and Order, Bihar, claimed anti-social elements have entered the protests. He said 24 FIRs have been registered and 125 people have been detained. 

Former Army chief General VK Singh has accused the Opposition of fomenting the protests. He said Army aspirants are being told wrong things about the Agnipath scheme and are being provoked. He said they were doing this because they are being surrounded by the ED. 

"There is no controversy in the scheme, but a controversy is being created by the opposition, which has nothing else to do. They are being surrounded by the ED...People are being told wrong things and being provoked. Where is the controversy when the scheme is yet to get started?" he added.

(With PTI inputs)

Here's what Nitin Gadkari has to say about the recent changes in the Agnipath scheme:

Army chief on Agnipath scheme: "The first agniveer will join our regimental centres by December (2022) and will be available for deployment in our operational and non-operational centres by the middle of next year". 

Agnipath protest turns violent in Madhya Pradesh's Indore: Hundreds of protestors gathered on tracks near a railway station in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district on Friday and hurled stones. Two policemen were injured in the violence. The police have arrested 15 people. "Nearly 600 youths gathered in different groups on the tracks near Laxmibai Nagar railway station in the city, forcing the railway administration to stop a few trains," Indore police commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra told PTI.

 "The Agnipath scheme will have a significant positive impact on society, and contribute greatly to nation-building. Agniveers will play a key role in furthering economic growth and strengthening society in the coming years," said Sudarshan Venu, MD, TVS Motor Company.

Secunderabad railway station, Agnipath protest: One person has been killed in police firing as protestors tried to storm the railway station near the Telangana capital city. The police have sounded an alert across all railway stations in Telangana. While security was tightened at the Nampally, Kacheguda railway stations, forces were rushed to Kazipet and Jangaon railway stations. 

Section 144 has been imposed in Gurgaon amid concerns of the Agnipath protest. 

Delhi Agnipath protest: The gates of Delhi's ITO Metro Station, Jama Masjid Metro station have been shut as precaution.

Agnipath protest in Delhi: All India Students Association (AISA) on Friday staged a protest against the government at Delhi's ITO. 

Agnipath Recruitment Scheme: Bihar BJP chief Sanjay Jaiswal's house in Bihar's Bettiah was attacked by the agitators. A policeman sustained injuries. 

Bihar Agnipath protest: The protestors set at least 20 coaches of the New Delhi-Bhagalpur Vikramshila Express and New Delhi-Darbhanga Bihar Sampark Kranti Express at Lakhisarai and Samastipur stations. They also blocked several highways in Buxar, Bhagalpur and Samastipur. While they put 12 bogies of the Vikramshila Express on fire, 8 bogies of the Bihar Sampark Kranti express were also put afire. There were no injuries related to the incident. 

Agneepath scheme protest: 8 train services affected due to ongoing students' agitation at various stations over East Central Railway jurisdiction; 12335 Malda Town - Lokmanya Tilak (T) Express & 12273 Howrah - New Delhi Duronto Express cancelled, said Ekalabya Chakraborty, CPRO. 

Agnipath recruitment scheme: Due to the protests, around 200 train services have been affected across the country. 35 trains have been cancelled and 13 have been short terminated.

Bihar protest against Agnipath scheme: The police chase away protestors at the Hajipur railway station. The police said the situation is under control. 

Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar has praised the Agniveer scheme. He said the Agnipath scheme is a much-needed reform and it will reduce the average age of the Armed forces. "Those continuing the path, or for those who wish to pursue a career in this service... will get opportunities to serve a short soldiering stint," he tweeted. 

Secunderabad railway station: The protestors set fire to East Coast Express, stalls and other railway property. They are demanding scrapping of the Agnipath scheme. The police are trying to bring the situation under control. 

In Haryana's Narnul, the police chased away the Agnipath Recruitment Scheme protesters.  Narnaul DSP Narender Kumar said they were violating the section 144 imposed in the city. 

On the Centre government's decision to revise the age criteria for Agniveer soldiers, General Pande said, "The decision of the Government has been received to grant a one-time waiver, increasing the entry age of recruitment to 23 years, for the recruitment cycle of 2022". 

Army chief General Manoj Pande said the schedule of the recruitment process under the Agnipath scheme will be announced shortly. "This decision will provide an opportunity for many of our young, energetic & patriotic youth who, despite COVID pandemic, were preparing to join the recruitment rallies, which couldn't be completed in the last two years due to COVID restrictions," he said. 

Violence against Agnipath scheme rocked Secunderabad railway station here on Friday as hundreds of youth set afire a train and vandalised the station.