Agnipath recruitment scheme: Protest erupts in Ballia railway station, train torched by protesters

On Friday morning, Ballia railway station of Uttar Pradesh was rocked with a protest against governments ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme. During the violent protest a train vandalized. in order to put an end to the protest, security forces were beefed up around the station.

"Forces have been deployed at the station since morning. A few hooligans reached there but they were stopped from damaging much; they attempted stone-pelting. Action being taken," said Ballia DM Saumya Agarwal while talking to media.

Apart from Ballia, several protests were staged in Bihar’s Chhapra, Jehanabad, Munger and Nawada areas.

Also, Bhabua Road Railway Station was also disrupted by the protesters followed by torching a train. Haryana's Palwal also joined the protest against the latest army recruitment schemes 

The ‘Agnipath’ scheme, a novel recruitment process, was launched by the defence minister on Thursday. under this scheme, young troops are enrolled for a four-year contract. The aspirants ranging between the age of 17.5 and 21 are eligible under the scheme.