Agnipath protests Highlights: 27 detained in Varanasi vandalism over stir, says cop

Train services were briefly disrupted by the protesters in Jharkhand's Jamshedpur. However, the services were resumed

Haryana Police personnel chase away the protesters in Narnaul. Several cities in the state reported violent incidents during protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme. Internet services have been suspended in Ballabhgarh.

The North Central Railways have issued a list of trains which will be controlled

1)12303 Howrah - New Delhi Poorva Express

2)12353 Howrah - Lalkuan Express

3) 18622 Ranchi - Patna Patliputra Express

4)18182 Danapur - Tata Express

5) 22387 Howrah - Dhanbad Black Diamond Express

6) 13512 Asansol - Tata Express

7) 13032 Jaynagar - Howrah Express

8) 13409 Malda Town - Kiul Express

Trains cancelled

1)12335 Malda Town - Lokmanya Tilak (T) Express

2) 12273 Howrah - New Delhi Duronto Express

Moreover, 13401Bhagalpur - Danapur Intercity Express and 03487 Jamalpur - Kiul DEMU Passenger Special will be short terminated at Dhanauri.

“Every mass spontaneous protest is a culmination of collective angst, its not just about the issue of the day, that’s just the tipping point. This is my learning after the #jallikattu protests in Marina Beach,” tweets Congress MP Karti Chidambaram

Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the recruitment into the military through the Agnipath scheme will begin soon and advised youngsters to start preparation. The minister's statement came as widespread protests against Agnipath continued for the third day across the country. Calling the scheme a ‘golden opportunity’, the defence minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allowing age waiver for the first batch f the recruitment. Read more

Protesters chased away by the police at Hajipur railway station in Bihar. According to Hajipur SP Maneesh, the situation at the railway station is under control. 

Two people have been arrested in Achalda railway station in Auraiya district while trying to stage protests. This comes amid incidents of train being set on fire in Ballia and reports of buses damaged in various districts of Uttar Pradesh.

North Eastern Railways cancelled 12 trains and short terminated 4 trains heading towards Prayagraj, Ballia, Varanasi and other districts in wake of the ongoing Agniveer protest

A bus has been damaged by protesters in Varanasi. Earlier in the day, protesters has vandalised vending carts at the Varanasi Cantonment railway station. There have been reports of violence in other parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, especially Balia where protesters set an isolated train on fire. 

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not understand what the people of the country want as he cannot hear anything except the voice of his "friends". He said this a day after the government raised the upper age limit to 23 years from 21 years for recruitment under 'Agnipath', amid protests by youth in several parts of the country against the scheme.

Bihar Deputy chief minister Renu Devi house attacked at Bettiah

Protesters pelt stones at the police in Secunderabad, 15 people injured. Protesters set fire to Howrah Express

Jan Shatabdi Express, a train was stopped for 5 minutes underneath Narhauli bridge in Mathura district. However train track now normal after protesters moved away. Protest on roads and highway and buses targeted in Mathura district

Four bogies of Ara Patna passenger train torched at Kulharia station

The Centre on Thursday released a list of things that 'Agniveers'- people who will get recruited under the 'Agnipath' scheme- can opt for after they have served in either the Army, the Navy or the Air Force. Check full list

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Friday attacked the government over the Agnipath scheme, saying the BJP dispensation requiring to amend rules under the scheme soon after its announcement indicates it was imposed on the youth in "haste", and demanded its immediate withdrawal.

A group of youths staged a protest outside Cantt railway station in Varanasi, They vandalized some vending carts, the police controlled the situation and drove away the protestors.

South Central railway authorities have stopped all trains to Secunderabad. Protesters ransack trains in Secunderabad railway station. Set fire to two bogeys Set afire stalls in the railway station. Some passengers injured

After buses damaged on Agra Lucknow Express Way on Friday morning, security enhanced on Yamuna Express Way, a 165 kilometer long fast track linking Agra with NOIDA. Mathura police positioned at varied locations

Three bogies of Darbhanga New Delhi Sampark Kranti express set on fire at the outer of Samastipur railway station

Railway police force on alert at Mainpuri railway station after security stepped up in view of trains being targeted by protesters protesting against the Agnipath scheme. 

A UP Roadways bus damaged by students on Agra Lucknow Express Way within limits of Matsena police station in Firozabad district protesting against new recruitment scheme for Indian armed forces.

Some students tried to break the window panes and set fire to an empty isolated train in Ballia railway station. The attempts to douse the flames are underway, Ballia SP RK Nayyar told ANI. Full report

The AAP alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has "betrayed" the country's youth with the announcement of ‘Agnipath’ scheme for recruitment into the armed forces, and demanded that the decision be withdrawn, ANI reported. "The Agnipath scheme for army recruitment is a clear betrayal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with 20 crore youth of the country. The government has stabbed the youth of the country in their back," AAP MP Sanjay Singh charged.

Former Punjab Chief Minister and Punjab Lok Congress president Captain Amarinder Singh has suggested reviewing the 'Agnipath' scheme for recruitment in defence forces saying "it will dilute the long-existing distinct ethos of regiments." Captain Amarinder Singh, an ex-serviceman, said that "four-year service is too short for a soldier." He wondered why the government of India needed to make such radical changes in the recruitment policy, which has been working so well for the country for so many years."Hiring soldiers for four years, with effective service of three years, is not at all militarily a good idea," ANI quoted the former chief minister.