1 killed, several hurt as protests against new army recruitment policy intensify in India

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - One protester was killed and several others injured after police opened fire in India’s Telangana state on Friday as violent protests against a new military recruitment system intensified across the country.

Protesters set many trains and buses on fire and blocked roads in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Telangana states.

Under the new Agnipath recruitment system announced by the government on Tuesday, youths between the ages of 17.5 and 21 will get an opportunity to serve in the army for four years. But after four years, only 25% of them will be retained. This means only 25 out of 100 candidates will get a permanent job in the army.

On Thursday night, the government raised the age limit from 21 to 23 years, a decision taken in an attempt to address the mounting discontent.

However, the agitation continued for the third consecutive day as trains were set on fire and houses of leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were attacked in Bihar.

Protesters also attacked the houses of Bihar’s Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi and Sanjay Jaiswal who heads the BJP in Bihar.

Railway services have been disrupted at several places across the country, forcing authorities to cancel many scheduled trains.

At least 12 trains were burnt by protesters, while 94 express and 140 passenger trains have been canceled, and close to 100 trains have been partially canceled, according to a statement by Indian Railways.

In the state of Haryana, the provincial government suspended internet services and issued orders restricting gatherings of more than four people.

Rahul Gandhi, leader of the main opposition Congress party, criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying he “does not understand what the people of the country want.”

“He can’t hear anything except the voice of his ‘friends’,” Gandhi tweeted.

Meanwhile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh defended the Agnipath scheme as “a golden opportunity for the youth of India to join the defense forces and serve the country.”

In a tweet, he said the recruitment process will “begin in a few days” and urged potential applicants to “start their preparations.”​​​​​​​