New Delhi: Protests have been intensified in several places regarding the government’s announcement of the Agnipath scheme. As per the plan, the appointment of soldiers into the army would take place on a four-year contract basis. This has led to protests in Bihar and Rajasthan as those who want to get jobs in the army raise their voice over job security and pension.
Job seekers in the armed forces have shown their concern about their future. It means that after four years, only 25% of soldiers will be granted an extension to serve a full term. Those who get jobs in the army via the Agnipath scheme and are not engaged after four years will be omitted without a pension. After that, the future is totally unsafe for those who are not retained after a four-year service term.
Protest in Bihar
More than 100 young men who are aspirants for army jobs came out at the Buxar railway station in Bihar and sat on the tracks. This led to the blocking of several trains for 30 minutes. Protesters raised their voice against the scheme revealed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh a couple of days ago. However, RPF and GRP personnel arrived on the spot and pacified them and restored the situation.
Meanwhile, a huge number of army aspirants gathered in Muzaffarpur and turned violent. They burnt tyres on the roads near the “Chakkar Maidan”.
Protesters block Ajmer-Delhi highway in Jaipur
Several youths turned up on the road and blocked the busy Ajmer-Delhi highway on Wednesday amidst the government’s “Agnipath” scheme. As per the police report, around 150 protesters blocked the highway, demanding that recruitment in the army should take place as it was used to be done.