Police in riot gear stormed a rally in Secunderabad, Telangana, on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck.
The Central Government has introduced a new scheme called ‘Agneepath’, a new scheme of recruitment on short-term contract basis in the three forces. Protests, train arsons and violent incidents have been taking place across the country over the past few days against the plan, which has been approved by the Union Cabinet.
Especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, train burning incidents are on the rise and the situation is getting out of control. In this context, the struggle is now slowly spreading to the southern states. Fighting has started in many places in Telangana. Hundreds of youths gathered at the Secunderabad railway station to protest against the ‘Agnipath’ project. The struggle, which began quietly, at one point went out of hand. They set fire to four train carriages there and forgot the freight trains.
Protesters also damaged the Secunderabad railway station offices. Also, protesters damaged the Ajanta Express, East Coast Express and MMDS train by setting it on fire. Telangana police opened fire on protesters who had gathered there to control the situation. One person was killed in the shooting. Another 8 people were injured.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The service of 200 trains across the country has been affected by the ongoing train box burning incidents. Meanwhile, in Haryana, the state government has banned cell phone internet services and SMS services for 24 hours due to law and order situation.
One of the protesters said, “We were protesting peacefully on the railway tracks. Why the railway police beat us. That is why our struggle turned violent. We have no choice but to protect our protesters. Protests are currently taking place across the country. Who ordered the firing on us ?. One of us has been killed. Who will be responsible for that? ”