Protests intensify across India against Agnipath: roads blocked, trains set ablaze

'Agnipath', the new recruitment scheme into the armed forces introduced by the government has seen widespread protests in several parts of the country. After Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, they have now spread to Hyderabad, with protestors rioting and setting trains on fire. In connection with this, Secunderabad railway station was completely ransacked and seven trains were set on fire on Friday morning.

Although Telangana police and forces from Railway Protection Force reached the station, major damages have already been done to the railway station. Fortunately, no passengers were harmed during these incidents.

Surprising the railway station personnels and security officers, the protests initially entered the premises in groups of 20.

Before the security personnels could bring the situation under control, a huge mob charged in to platform 1 of the station and began rioting.

The mob first tried to attack Danapur express, which was arriving to the station. When the loco pilots saw the danger, they quickly changed the direction of the train and reversed it. The mob became agitated because of this and starting damaging the stalls on the platform.

Trains that were there on other platforms were also set ablaze and damaged. Several passengers who were waiting at the station for their journeys were also caught in the middle of the protests. The thick smoke that surrounded the Railway station blocked their way when they tried to leave the station premises.

In the northern parts of the country, protest continued. In Bihar's Begusarai district saw the protests enter into a second day with the youth blocking the Rajbara Gumti road.

Trains were also not able to move as these protestors began to sit on the railway tracks to show their displeasure against the scheme. Several places had road blockages also. A tire was also burnt on the railways track. Sahebpurkamal railway station in the district had huge ruckus created by student who even resorted to arson and stone-pelting.

Similar furore were seen on Lakhisarai district too. Large protesting groups marched against this scheme that was introduced by the Central Government, where they raised slogans against the government.

In Bettiah in Bihar's West Champaran district, the house of Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi, was also attacked during the protest against the recent recruitment scheme. Fortunately, the deputy CM was in Patna. Reports have come out that saying that the BJP office was also attacked in Lakhisarai district.

Uttar Pradesh's Balia also bore witness to similar protests. Huge crowds gathered at the Ballia Railway Station in protest.

"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.

With inputs from agencies