Agnipath Protests: Home Ministry Gives 10 BJP MLAs 'Y' Security Cover in Bihar
Amid protests, the government has increased the upper-age limit for recruitment under the Agnipath scheme for 2022.
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As protests against the Union Defence Ministry's new Agnipath scheme grip the nation, demonstrations escalated across at least 11 states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Assam on Friday, 17 June.
The Ministry of Home Affairs, on Saturday, 18 June announced 10 percent reservation for Agniveers in the recruitment for the Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles vacancies.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also approved a proposal to reserve 10 percent of the job vacancies for ‘Agniveers’ in the Ministry of Defence, Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts, and all the 16 defence public sector undertakings.
The state government of Bihar stops internet and telephone mobile services in 12 districts.
One person killed amid the violence in Telangana's Secunderabad, while several others reportedly injured.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds meeting with the service chiefs in Delhi.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi appeals to protesters to agitate peacefully.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approves 10 percent reservation for Agniveers in the Ministry of Defence jobs.
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Six FIRs Across Four UP District, 260 Arrested
The Uttar Pradesh Police have registered six FIRs across four districts in connection with protests against Agnipath recruitment scheme. At least 260 people arrested so far.
Centre Announces 10% Reservation for Agniveers in CAPF, Assam Rifles Recruitment
The Ministry of Home Affairs has reserved 10 percent vacancies for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles for Agniveers.
It has also announced three years age relaxation beyond upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in the two forces.
"For the first batch of Agniveer, age relaxation will be for five years beyond upper age limit," the HMO tweeted.
Congress Satyagraha at Jantar Mantar
Congress to do a satyagraha tomorrow at Jantar Mantar in solidarity with the youth protesting against the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
All MPs, CWC members, and AICC office bearers are expected to participate.
Violent Protests in Bihar's Jehanabad
Despite the ongoing Bihar Bandh called in the wake of the massive violence against the Agnipath army recruitment scheme, agitators on Saturday set fire to a bus, truck and two other vehicles in Jehanabad.
Plea in SC to Setup SIT Probe Over Agnipath Protests
Plea moved in Supreme Court seeking directions to setup a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to enquire about the violent protests against the Agnipath scheme. It also seeks to enquire about the damage caused to the public property including the Railways.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's Meeting With Service Chiefs Underway
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's meeting with the service chiefs in Delhi – Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari – underway at his residence.
TRS Leaders Rallies Behind Family Of Deceased Telangana Protestor
AP Police Detains Subba Rao Who Runs Army training Centres
Andhra Pradesh Police detained ASR Sai Defence Academy Director, Avula Subba Rao in connection with the arson in Secunderabad railway station. He will be handed over to Railway Police, AP Police said.
Vehicles Set on Fire in Taregna Station in Patna
Violence broke out at Taregna railway station in Patna, where protesters set fire to about a dozen vehicles. More details awaited.
Roll Back Agnipath: Raghav Chadha Writes to Rajnath Singh
In an official letter, AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha asked Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to roll back the Agnipath Scheme.
"The Union Government has failed to comprehend that a jawan supports not only himself but his family. Only individuals with courage and peace of mind can serve in the Armed Forces. A jawan that is busy contemplating career moves or wondering how his family will survive after his tenure of four years is over, will find it harder to serve our country," the letter read.
Patna DM Alleges Role of Coaching Centres in Provoking Violence
According to ANI, Chandrashekhar Singh, DM of Patna said that the alleged role of 7-8 coaching centres in provoking violence was being ascertained through WhatsApp messages of those arrest.
"We are on complete alert. People are being identified through video footage," Singh was quoted as saying.
Agitate Peacefully, INC Is With You: Sonia's Appeal to Protesters
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi who is currently hospitalised with Covid-related issues made an appeal to the youth who are currently protesting against Agnipath scheme.
"You aspire to do an important job for the country by joining the Indian defence services. I can understand the pain of not getting hired despite there being several vacancies for the last three years. I am sad that the government has announced the new directionless army recruitment scheme, ignoring your voice. INC stand firmly with you and we promise to protect your interests. I also urge you to agitate for your demands in a peaceful, non-violent way," her message read.
Rajnath Singh Approves 10% Reservation for Agniveers in Defence Ministry Jobs
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a proposal to reserve 10 percent of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for the ‘Agniveers’ meeting the requisite eligibility criteria.
Necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions.
Punjab: Ludhiana Railway Station Vandalised, Security Tightened in Amritsar
A group of protesters vandalised the Ludhiana railway station in Punjab. "Around 8-10 persons have been rounded up. We are trying to identify them through videos that are available," ANI quoted RS Brar, Jt CP, Ludhiana as saying.
The security at Punjab's Amritsar railway station has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that the Agnipath scheme will “dilute” the Army's fighting ability. He also demanded for its rollback.
Karnataka Govt Will Induct Agniveers in State Police, Says Minister
"Karnataka government will induct Agniveers into state police after completion of their service in the Agnipath Recruitment Scheme," ANI quoted Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra as saying.
Housing and Petroleum PSUs Looking for Ways To Hire Agniveers: Hardeep Singh Puri
PSUs under the housing and petroleum ministries are looking at ways to hire 'Agniveers' after their four-year service in the armed forces, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, according to PTI.
Security Beefed Up at Vizag Railway Station
Railway authorities closed the Visakhapatnam railway station and beefed up security at all other major stations in Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure to prevent protests against the Union government's Agnipath military recruitment scheme.
Have Faith in PM Modi: JP Nadda Tells Agitators
BJP chief JP Nadda, who is currently in Karnataka, appealed to the protesters to have faith in PM Modi.
"I want to appeal to my young friends that this Agnipath is a revolutionary scheme. I know that efforts are being made to mislead the youth. But I want to tell them to have faith in PM Modi. I appeal to them to understand this scheme thoroughly," he said at an event.
369 Trains Cancelled
Railways cancelled 369 trains on Saturday due to agitation against the Agnipath scheme, PTI reported.
Bihar Deputy CMs Give 'Y' Security Cover
Ten BJP MLAs in Bihar including two deputy CMs Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi have been given ‘Y’ category security cover following attacks over ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme.
620 People Arrested in Bihar
Around 620 people have been arrested and 130 FIRs have been registered in Bihar so far, Sanjay Singh ADG, Law & Order told ANI.
TN CM Stalin Demands Rollback of Agnipath
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin demanded a rollback of the Agnipath scheme.
Rajasthan Govt Passes Resolution Seeking Withdrawal of Agnipath Scheme
"The State Council of Ministers unanimously passed a resolution that the Agnipath Scheme must be withdrawn keeping in mind the larger public interest and the sentiments of the youths", a notice shared by the Rajasthan Government read.