• Agnipath scheme: Protests erupt in UP’s Bulandshahr, Ballia districts amid army recruitment row

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    Agnipath scheme: Protests erupt in UP’s Bulandshahr, Ballia districts amid army recruitment row
    The protesters dispersed when officials informed them that their demands would be sent to the appropriate authorities.

    Digital Desk: Hundreds of young people protested against the Agnipath scheme to recruit people into the defence forces in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr and Ballia districts on Thursday.

    The protesters dispersed when officials informed them that their demands would be sent to the appropriate authorities.

    Locals said that demonstrators gathered in Khurja and the city area of Bulandshahr, raising chants against the central government and asking that the project be scrapped.

    On Tuesday, the Agnipath scheme was launched, which will recruit jawans into the army, navy, and air force for a four-year period for most to retire without gratuity or pension benefits.

    Shlok Kumar, the Superintendent of Police in Bulandshahr, said, "In the morning, a group of young people assembled to hold a protest. On the assurance of officials, they called off the protest. " A similar protest was reported in Ballia.

    A protest was held in the Kotwari area of Rasra police station by a group of about 60 individuals. Officials said they called off the protest late after speaking with government officials.