Agnipath protest: Amid the ongoing protests against the Centre’s recently launched Agneepath recruitment scheme, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi on Friday alleged that the opposition is misleading the protesting students and those who are destroying public property in anger. They are goons of the opposition. Speaking to ANI, Devi said, “After completion of 4 years, ‘Agnivar’ will get an economic package of 12 lakhs to start afresh. They also get priority in getting loans, educational courses, CAPF and police recruitment. The opposition is misleading the students and their goons are destroying public property.
After the completion of 4 years, ‘Agnivar’ will have an economic package of 12 lakhs to start afresh. They will be given priority for loans, educational courses, CAPF…Opposition is misleading students and their goons destroying public property: Bihar Deputy CM Renu Devi pic.twitter.com/ehFjqCpAoX
— ANI (@ANI) June 17, 2022
Renu Devi’s remarks came after an attempt to vandalize Sanjay Jaiswal’s house and Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi’s house in Bettiah town. The protesters also attacked the SUV of BJP MLA Vinay Bihari and other BJP leaders in Bihar. Violent protests on Friday against the Centre’s Agneepath plan turned into a political battle between leaders of the two ruling parties, the BJP and the JD(U).
Apart from Jaiswal, violent mob attacked Renu Devi, the house of BJP MLA Vinay Bihari and the residence of BJP MLA Virendra Singh in Samastipur. On Thursday, protesters attacked the residence cum clinic of BJP MLA from Warsaliganj and Dr CN Singh at Nawada railway station.
Meanwhile, the protesters continued the violence at several railway stations in Bihar. They torched three coaches of Farakka Express at Danapur railway station in Patna. The situation spiraled out of control and the Danapur ASP posted on the spot fired a few rounds in the air to save himself and other police personnel from the violent mob.
What is Agneepath Scheme?
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved the Agneepath Recruitment Scheme for Indian youth to serve in the Armed Forces. Under this scheme, about 46,000 soldiers in the age group of 17 and a half years to 21 years will be recruited on a four-year contract in the three services. The youth selected under this scheme will be known as firefighters.
(with agency input)