Bharat Bandh Call Over 'Agnipath', Several States Are On Alert

The opposition pressed for the immediate withdrawal of the 'Agnipath' scheme!

On Monday, 20 June 2022, several organisations, including Congress and Aam Aadmi Party, staged protests against the Agnipath scheme at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

Traffic has been disrupted at the Delhi-Gurugram expressway. In Faridabad and Noida, section 144 has been imposed to avoid the gathering.

UP Police said that strict action will be taken against those found involved in disrupting peace. In Punjab, the police have been asked to monitor the activities of social media groups which are allegedly mobilising or spreading instigating information about the scheme.

The Bihar government has increased security at party offices considered vulnerable. As of now, internet services remain shut in 20 districts. In Jharkhand, all schools will remain closed today as a precautionary measure.

On Monday, the Kerala Police said its entire force will be there to arrest anyone engaging in violence or destruction of public property.

The three services of the military on Sunday came out with a broad schedule of enrolment under the 'Agnipath' scheme and warned those who indulged in violence and arson will not be left.

The Defence ministries promised new 10 per cent quotas each in jobs for 'Agnipath' recruits after their four-year tenure in the armed forces.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the PSUs under his housing and petroleum ministries are also working on plans to induct 'Agniveers'.

The Home Ministry further decided to give 3 years of age relaxation beyond the prescribed upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles.

The Centre has raised the upper age limit for recruitment to 23 years for 2022 as a one-time measure in a bid to pacify the protesters.

From Wednesday, Protests have been held in several states against the Centre's Agnipath scheme for the recruitment of soldiers between 17.5 and 21 years in the armed forces for a four-year period, followed by compulsory retirement for most without gratuity and pension benefits.