Indian trains set ablaze in protests against military hiring changes

Protesters were angry over new short-term military scheme, where a majority of recruits will be compulsorily retired after four years with no pension benefits

Police used batons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states where they damaged government buildings

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Demonstrators surround burning tyres on a street as they protest against “Agnipath scheme” for recruiting personnel for armed forces, in Jehanabad, Bihar, India on Thursday. Photo: ANI/Handout via Reuters

Published: 9:15am, 17 Jun 2022Updated: 2:43pm, 17 Jun 2022

Angry mobs in India set fire to several trains and clashed with police on Thursday during rallies against a new short-term military recruitment scheme.

Police used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesters in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states where they took to the streets and damaged government buildings.

This week the government announced a temporary recruitment plan to induct young adults into the armed forces for four years – a major break from the past as non-commissioned ranks are seen as lifetime jobs.

Under the new job programme announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh this week, the armed forces this year can recruit 46,000 men and women in the age group 17.5-21 but only for four years. Seventy-five per cent of them will be compulsorily retired after four years with no pension benefits.

Demonstrators block a train as they protest against “Agnipath scheme” for recruiting personnel for armed forces, in Jehanabad, Bihar, India on Thursday. Photo: ANI/Handout via Reuters

A full-time recruited soldier serves for over 35 years.

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