Prasad Nichenametla, DHNS, Hyderabad , JUN 17 2022, 12:27 ISTUPDATED: JUN 17 2022, 14:15 IST

Protesters shout slogans after setting a train on fire during a demonstration against the government's new 'Agnipath' recruitment scheme for the army, navy, and air forces at a railway station in Secunderabad. Credit: AFP Photo

The protests against the centre's Agnipath scheme have on Friday morning spread to the Secunderabad railway station, one of the major junctions in the country.

A few coaches of the halted trains were set on fire by the aspirants agitated by the new recruitment process for the Army, as announced by the defence minister Rajnath Singh earlier this week.

At least one person was reported dead while a few injured youth were taken to the nearby government Gandhi Hospital.

Two coaches of the Ajanta Express were burnt, and parcel items including a few bikes were also gutted in the fire. Glass window paces of some AC coaches were also shattered. Passengers sitting inside ran for safety leaving their belongings.

“You can see the destruction here but who would notice our pain? We have been waiting for about two years now for the recruitment exam which was canceled several times because of reasons like Covid-19. And now suddenly they announce a new scheme which disqualifies us because of age etc factors,” an aspirant told reporters.

The protestors had earlier stopped the trains, raising slogans against the center's move. “Justice for Army aspirants” read one of their banners.

Horrified passengers ran helter-skelter even as the police and railway officials tried to bring the situation under control. The station with 10 platforms and bustling with crowds all the time wore a deserted look in minutes.

Secunderabad is the headquarters of the South Central Railway and also has a vast army cantonment area.

Meanwhile, SCR officials have convened an urgent meeting to assess the situation. They have announced the cancellation of the local MMTS train services for the day. Some long-distance trains are either diverted or cancelled.

Security was beefed up at the Nampally and other railway stations in the city.

1 killed as Agnipath protest in Secunderabad turns violent, police open fire

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