The Indian Railways has stated that over 200 trains have been affected and 35 have been cancelled over the protests against the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces. The worst-hit is the East Central Railways, which covers Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of UP.
The Indian Railways, on Friday, announced that, so far, over 200 trains are affected due to the protests against the Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces. Around 35 trains have been cancelled, while 13 have been short-terminated since the protests erupted on Wednesday
The worst hit is the East Central Railways (ECR) as it covers Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of Uttar Pradesh. These are the states that have witnessed widespread protests.
Several trains run by the North Frontier Railways also pass through the ECR jurisdiction. The railways said that three of these have also been hit.
The railways said they also decided to “monitor” the operations of the eight trains due to the agitations. Officials, who are keeping an eye on the movement of these trains, said they will make a decision based on their operation as the situation evolves.
These trains include 12303 Howrah – New Delhi Poorva Express, 12353 Howrah – Lalkuan Express, 18622 Ranchi – Patna Patliputra Express, 18182 Danapur – Tata Express, 22387 Howrah – Dhanbad Black Diamond Express, 13512 Asansol – Tata Express, 13032 Jaynagar – Howrah Express and the 13409 Malda Town – Kiul Express.
Two ECR trains that have been cancelled are — 12335 Malda Town – Lokmanya Tilak (T) Express and the 12273 Howrah – New Delhi Duronto Express.
Angered over the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment into the armed forces on a short-term contractual basis, agitated mobs targeted trains and railway property, vandalising and setting them ablaze.
Angry protestors damaged the coaches of three running trains in the ECR and one empty rake in Kulharia (also in the ECR). A coach of a stationary train on the washing line at Uttar Pradesh’s Balia was also damaged.
In Balia, protesting youngsters raised the slogans ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and ‘Agnipath Wapas Lo (withdraw Agnipath scheme)’, while setting an empty train on fire and vandalising a few other trains. This prompted the police to lathi charge them.
