NEW DELHI: Protests are raging across the country against Agnipath, the short-term military recruitment scheme announced by the Centre. Protesters took to the streets in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Road and rail traffic has been disrupted in many places.

The train which left from Thiruvananthapuram was also attacked. Nizamuddin Express, which left on Tuesday, was attacked as it reached Gwalior station at around 1 pm. The protesters blocked the train with iron rods and stones.

Every side of the train was attacked starting from the engine to the last compartment. As per reports, several passengers, including Malayalees, were injured. Protesters smashed glasses in the AC compartment. The train continued its journey after temporarily closing the glasses with card boards. Protesters continued their attacks on the platform.

A passenger train was set ablaze at Chhapra in Saran as protests against the Agnipath scheme for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces escalated in Bihar on Thursday. Stone-throwing was reported from Ara railway station as the protestors resorted to picketing and road blockades across the state.

Protests are contnuing in Bihar for the second day in a row. Police used water cannons to disperse the agitators who pelted stones at the police at the railway station in Ara.

The scheme was announced after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared it for recruiting personnel, including women, for four years with a provision to retain 25% of them in the regular cadre for 15 more years after another round of screening.

Protesters say that only 25 per cent of those selected will get permanent appointments, which will affect job opportunities. Benefits, including pensions, will also be affected.

Various political parties have also criticized the scheme. 'No rank, no pension, no direct recruitment for 2 years, no stable future after four years, no respect shown by the government for the army', tweeted Rahul. While the CPM Polit Bureau said that professional armed forces cannot be raised by recruiting ‘soldiers on contract’ for a period of four years. This scheme, to save pension money, severely compromises the quality and efficiency of our professional armed forces.