As the violent protests against Centre’s newly launched military recruitment scheme Agnipath entered its third day with angry agitators continue damaging public properties, governments in Bihar and Haryana suspended internet services in the violence-hit districts. Over 300 trains have been affected and more than 200 cancelled so far due to protests against the Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the defence services. Coaches of seven trains have so far been set ablaze by protestors.
In Bihar, unhappy job aspirants coming out in large numbers torching and stopping trains and disrupting services across the eastern region. The protestors attacked the house of Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and the car of a BJP MLA in Bihar.
Responding to the violence, Bihar government temporarily suspended internet services in several districts including Kaimer, Bhojpur, Aurangabad, Rohtas, Buxer, Nawada, West Champaran, Samastipur, Lakhisarai, Begusarai, Vaishali and Saran districts from today till 19th June.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) on Friday made a fresh plea to the Narendra Modi government for an immediate review of the ‘Agnipath’ scheme, and to assure protesting youngsters that their future will not be adversely affected by the new policy.
Even in Haryana, protests against the scheme intensified on Friday with youths pelted stones at vehicles in Ballabhgarh, squatted on railway tracks in Jind and burnt tyres in Rohtak.
Police had to resorted to mild lath-charge and rounded up over 40 youths in Ballabhgarh, where authorities had suspended mobile internet and SMS services for 24 hours starting 10 pm on Thursday as a precautionary measure following violent protests in Palwal district.
Even in Mahendergarh area of the Haryana, government ordered suspension of mobile internet services and all SMS services for the next twenty four hours.
Mobile internet services, all SMS services, and all dongle services provided on mobile networks except voice calls has been suspended for the next 24 hours with effect from 17 June, 4.30pm, the order stated.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij warned of action against those indulging in violence and damaging public property. In Rohtak, the protesting youths burnt tyres. Protests were held near Rajiv Gandhi Stadium and Maharshi Dayanand University, and outside the BJP office.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have been imposed in some of the districts where protests broke out including Palwal, Faridabad, Rohtak and Narnaul.
(With inputs from PTI.)