'Agnipath' protests turn violent, spread across India

Across the country, protests against the Centre's new Agnipath programme for recruiting soldiers across the three services erupted into large-scale rioting and destruction. Following the violent event at Secunderabad Railway Station, the protest has grown in intensity and spread to other states. The violent occurrences occurred in 14 districts across Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar, five trains were set on fire. Protesters blocked lines and set fire to train coaches in numerous states throughout the country, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Telangana. The Haryana government has suspended internet access in anticipation of rioting in the state. The protests disrupted around 340 railway services. The train authorities cancelled 234 railway services. Many people were arrested in northern India as a result of the violent protests.