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At least one protester was killed in a clash with police, as a series of violent protests take over parts of the country. Anger has been sparked by a new Armed Forces entry policy that will lower the age of eligibility to 17, but cut service to just four years, with the aim of cutting costs and pensions. Many potential recruits object, concerned about job opportunities.
Rejection of new short-term military conscription plan sparks violent protests in India.
Thousands of angry youths set fire to train cars and vehicles, blocked roads, attacked police with stones and damaged government buildings. At least one person died in a confrontation with the Public Force.
The uniformed men responded with batons and tear gas in an attempt to push back the crowds that spread across several cities. The demonstrations have turned violent in states such as Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
“They have blocked trains in 10 places today,” said Sanjay Singh, a senior police officer in Bihar.
The strong scenes this Friday, June 17, come after at least 125 protesters were arrested on Thursday, according to figures reported by the local newspaper ‘Hindustan Times’. But the arrests have not persuaded thousands, who returned to the streets.
In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh alone, protests broke out in 14 districts and authorities fired into the air to disperse stone-throwing crowds, Prashant Kumar, a senior local police official, confirmed.
Agnipath, the new military recruitment system that has sparked anger
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government unveiled this week the new entry scheme for the Armed Forces, called Agnipath or “path of fire” in Hindi.
The system intends to reduce the age of men and women to join the military force to 17, and even 21, but with a short contract of only four years and in unofficial positions. After that time only a quarter, 25% of the recruits, would continue in the institution. That is, the remaining 75% must be withdrawn compulsorily.
The main objective of the Modi Administration is to reduce the growing costs of pensions for the Armed Forces, currently with 1.38 million troops.
But many would-be recruits balk, worried about job opportunities after they complete their four-year terms and disappointed to lose out on a pension.
Avnish Kumar, a 19-year-old from Ballia district in Uttar Pradesh, is one of many who had hoped to join the army and now says he is disappointed in the new recruitment policy.
“The duration of the job is only four years and only 25% of people will get jobs after that. There is no pension,” he stressed.
Until now, soldiers in this country have been enlisted in the Army, Navy and Air Force separately, and typically serve up to 17 years, for the lowest ranks.
Upon reaching higher positions, a military man in India can work for more than 35 years.
VP Malik, a retired high-ranking soldier in the Indian Army, said the youngsters’ disappointment is understandable. “The Government and the Armed Forces have to do more outreach to justify and explain the scheme to the youth,” he said in an interview with The Times of India newspaper.
The Indian government defends itself against criticism
In addition to military hopefuls, Modi’s government faces harsh criticism from opposition parties and retired soldiers. Even from some members of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who say the move will generate more unemployment in a country already mired in low employment rates.
For his part, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh defended the program by assuring that its objective is to “strengthen the country’s security.” He pointed out that with 1.4 million active personnel, the Indian Army is the second largest in the world after China and the third largest spender.
The government expects to recruit some 46,000 people under the new system this year.
With Reuters, AP and local media
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