INDIA-NEW DELHI: As violent protests against the Agni Path project are intensifying across the country, the Union Home Ministry has announced that Agni soldiers will be given a 10% reservation in CAPF, Assam Rifles.

On the 13th, Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh introduced the “Agni Patha” scheme, which recruits 17.5 to 21-year-olds in the Army, Navy, and Air Force on a contract basis for 4 years. However, there was strong opposition to this project from the youth side. Especially in Bihar, a large number of youths who were undergoing training to join the army are protesting.

The protest that started in the northern states of Bihar, UP, and Haryana spread to Telangana yesterday. Demonstrators set fire to a train parked at the Secunderabad railway station in Telangana yesterday. A young man died in the firing. And a total of 12 trains were torched across the country, including Bihar. The movement affected around 300 trains across the country.

In this case, the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Central Armed Forces (CAPF) and Assam Rifles will be given a 10% reservation to the soldiers who have been selected for the Agni Path program and who have served as Agni soldiers for 4 years. Also, 5 years age limit will be given to the first batch of Agni soldiers to join CAPF, Assam Rifles. The Ministry of Home Affairs said that the age limit of 3 years from the date of notification will be given to those leaving in subsequent batches.

Earlier, the central government appealed to the youth to stay calm and not join the protest. Also, 25% of Agni soldiers who join the Army will be re-employed. The rest will be posted in other brigades of the central government, it said.