Protesters vandalized Secunderabad station over Agneepath scheme, Bihar, UP and Jharkhand also affected – Rail Hunt

• 116 trains have been stopped while 35 trains have been canceled

Patna/Jamshedpur/Kolkata

Railway establishments are constantly being targeted by the protesters opposing the Agneepath scheme brought for recruitment in the army. There is anger and resentment that trains have been stopped in different parts of the country. Services affected. The mob pelted stones at railway stations and caused heavy damage to railway property by destroying equipment and passenger amenities. Rail tracks were blocked and trains were also burnt.
Elia in Uttar Pradesh, Secunderabad in Telangana, Firozabad in UP have been heavily vandalised. Railway service is affected in every zone. Due to cancellation of large number of trains, passengers have to face a lot of problems.

West Bengal, Jharkhand, from Uttar Pradesh to Hyderabad’s Secunderabad Railway have been the worst affected by the targeted violence. Arising from Bihar, gradually it has reached everywhere. Station and railway property are being targeted continuously. Train bogies have been set ablaze at many places. The railway administration and the government also seem helpless.

Alam is that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav has also appealed to the youth not to damage government property. However, amidst incidents of arson in trains and uproar at railway stations, the Union Minister also expressed doubts about the involvement of anti-social elements in the protests.

Ashwini Vaishnav said, “I request everyone that railways is your and national asset. Don’t protest violently, Railways is your property. Some anti-social elements have also joined these protests, nothing will be gained by violence.”

Indian Railways spokesperson Amitabh Sharma told the media that he appeals to the protesters to stop damaging national property and submit complaints through appropriate channels. Sharma said, “All our control rooms are running, and a helpline has been started for passengers. In the trains that are stranded, the catering department is arranging food and water for the passengers. At least 116 trains have been stopped, and 35 trains have been cancelled. We expect the situation to improve in the evening.”

Amitabh Sharma said that people traveling today and tomorrow should check the status of their railway train before leaving home. If your train is late by more than 4 hours and you cancel your journey then your money will not be cancelled.

Giving wrong information about the Agneepath scheme, protests and arson intensified with sabotage and arson in Patna, Ara, Samastipur, Nawada and Begusarai in Bihar on Friday. Similar incidents were also seen in Secunderabad, Telangana.

In a major move, the Center has decided to increase the age limit of ‘Agniveer’ from 21 years to 23 years to induct more youth in the armed forces. Earlier, the government had debunked concerns and myths about the scheme and assured post-retirement benefits to Agniveers.