Aspirants protest, seek withdrawal of scheme

Avinash Kumar

PATNA: Army aspirants on Wednesday disrupted rail and road traffic in several parts of Bihar, in protest against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for short-term induction of soldiers in the armed forces.

Aspirants in Buxar, Begusarai, Bhojpur and Muzaffarpur, who were waiting for the recruitment process to be resumed after it was halted in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic, said they were unhappy with the changes introduced under the new scheme -particulary over the length of service, no pension provisions for those released early and the 17.5 to 21 age restriction that now makes most of them ineligible.

“The physical and medical tests of candidates from eight districts were conducted over two years ago, but the written exam was awaited. The authorities come up with one reason or the other for the delay, while the candidates continue to suffer,” said one of the aspirants in Muzaffarpur, requesting anonymity. “The Union ministry of defence should relax the age bar so that those who have spent the last two years waiting should get a fair chance,” said another protesting candidate.

“The common entrance exam should be resumed and Tour of Duty (TOD) should be withdrawn. As there has been a twoyear delay in exams, the candidates should get that much relaxation. The new scheme of four-year employment is a joke. There is no clarity,” said a third candidate from Buxar.

In Buxar, protesters pelted stones at Patna-bound Pataliputra Express. In Muzaffarpur, aspirants blocked roads near the railway station, Bhagwanpur Chowk, Madipur Chowk and Chakkar crossing.

Police did not take any action against the protestors and tried to pacify them without using force.

No injuries were reported from any place in the state.

Hundreds of protesters blocked NH-31 for two hours in Begusarai, demanding the scrapping of the scheme.