Ruckus in Himachal over amendment in army recruitment rules, furious demonstrations in many districts before PM’s roadshow
There is a strong protest in Himachal Pradesh against the decision to recruit Agniveers in the army under the Agneepath scheme. On Thursday, just before the roadshow of PM Narendra Modi in Dharamsala, youths demonstrated fiercely in Gagal, Hamirpur and Mandi districts of Kangra. Angry youths took to the streets to register their protest over the amendment in Army Recruitment Rules. There were scuffles and fights with the police at many places. At the same time, youths also performed on the Seri stage of Mandi with the tricolor in their hands. They raised slogans against the government. It is worth noting that the central government has decided to recruit Agniveers in the army under the Agneepath scheme. Army has changed the recruitment process. There will be a written test first, followed by a ground test. Earlier, there was a ground test for the youth. After six months of training, the soldiers will be taken into the army. In the army, these soldiers will be called Agniveer. Their services will be taken for four years. After this they will have to go through another recruitment process for more services. Out of the total 40 to 50 thousand recruitments in a year, 25 percent of Agniveers will be selected for regular services in the army. The age limit for the recruitment of Agniveers in Agneepath scheme has been fixed at 17 and a half to 21 years.
In this, 10th and 12th class pass youth and girls will be able to participate. Youth trained from ITI and technical institutions will also be able to participate in it. Agniveers will get Rs 4.76 lakh annually in the first year. The service will continue to increase annually. 6.92 lakh will be received annually in the fourth year. These Agniveers will get risk and hardsip, ration, dress and traveling allowance. The contribution of 30 percent of the monthly salary of Agniveer jawans will be given by an individual and equal contribution by the Government of India. 11.71 lakh will be paid on completion of four years of military service. It will be exempt from income tax. Benefit of non-contributory life insurance of Rs 48 lakh, if Agniveer is serving in the army, gratuity of Rs 44 lakh and salary and service fund for the remaining period of military service.
On Tuesday, protesting against the Agneepath scheme, a large number of youths raised slogans against the central government at Gagal in Kangra. During this, DSP of Kangra Sunil Rana kept on explaining to the youth and asked them to stop the protest.
But seeing the demonstration getting furious, the police had to use mild force. During this, there was a scuffle between the police and the youth. Police have detained some youths. About 80 youths who were on demonstration at various places in district Kangra were brought to Shahpur police station in two buses, while in one bus the youths have been sent to Kotla post.The furious protesters also tore down the hoardings of PM Modi put up for the roadshow. Angered by the decision to change the recruitment rules, youths ransacked many places.
The furious protesters also tore down the hoardings of PM Modi put up for the roadshow. Angered by the decision to change the recruitment rules, youths ransacked many places.
The young man got dizzy during the demonstration
At the same time, there has been opposition to the recruitment of Agniveer in Hamirpur. Youth protested vigorously at Gandhi Chowk in Hamirpur for cancellation of army recruitment. Slogans were raised against the central government. Also raised the demand for permanent recruitment in the army. During the demonstration, a young man felt dizzy. The youth was sent to the Medical College Hamirpur in a police car.
In Jogindernagar of Mandi district, youth took to the streets and protested against the amendment in army recruitment rules. Angry youths tried to block the Pathankot-Mandi highway. During this, there was a scuffle with the police. A large number of youth have come out on the streets and are raising slogans against the central government.
Congress leaders Jeevan Thakur, Sorav Jaswal, former Vice President of Municipal Council Ajay Dharwal also participated in the demonstration of the youth. Tried to jam Mandi-Pathankot highway at Police Station Chowk. However, the police present on the spot stopped the youth.
After this, now a group of angry youth moved towards the Mini Secretariat. In view of the demonstration, a large number of police forces have been deployed. Police station in-charge Pritam Jariyal is also engaged in pacifying the atmosphere. On the Seri stage of Mandi, the youth demonstrated with the tricolor in their hands.
