Agnipath stir: States under strict vigil as army aspirants call for Bharat Bandh today
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Several states in the country are under strict vigil after armed forces aspirants who are protesting against the Agnipath scheme called for Bharat Bandh today.
From Bihar to Jharkand and Kerala, the Police are on alert and have warned people to not engage in any activity which disrupts law and order during Bharat Bandh.
As per reports, 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. As of now, internet services remain shut in 20 districts.
The Kerala Police said its entire force will be on duty today to arrest anyone engaging in violence or destruction of public property.
In Jharkhand, schools have been shut on Monday amid the bandh call. The ongoing examinations of Classes 9 and 11 have also been postponed, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
In Gautam Buddh Nagar near Delhi, the police said prohibitory orders banning large gatherings have been imposed. People have been asked not to disrupt law and order.
In Faridabad near Delhi, 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.
The Congress said lakhs of party workers across the country will hold peaceful protests on Monday against the Agnipath scheme and the Central government's "vendetta politics" in targeting Rahul Gandhi.
On June 14, the government unveiled the short-term contractual recruitment programme "Agnipath" for the recruitment of soldiers in the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
Under the programme, young men and women aged between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 years were to be recruited in the Army, Navy and the Air Force, largely on a four-year short-term contractual basis. As protests intensified, the Centre raised the upper age limit for recruitment to 23 years for 2022 as a one-time measure.
In Noida, a group of ex-servicemen have submitted a memorandum to the authorities demanding strict against "anti-social" elements involved in the violence during the protests.
225 people have been booked and 15 arrested in connection with the violent protest at the Jewar toll plaza on the Yamuna Expressway on Friday, reported news agency Press Trust of India.