Koderma: Agnipath scheme fans widespread protests, trains cancelled, terminated

Mail News Service

Koderma, June 18: The Agnipath scheme of the central government continues to fan fiery resentment across the country and the situation is getting seemingly out of hand, at least presently. The protests have been very pronounced in Bihar. The protests are growing menacingly and Jharkhand too has become a large pocket of protests against the Agnipath scheme that aims to recruit youth for a four year contract period in the defense services. The impact of protests against the central government’s Agnipath move has been felt mostly by the railways whose properties have been destroyed, train coaches burnt and many other trains had either to be cancelled or terminated for safety of passengers.

Sparks of protests against Agnipath were felt in Koderma district. On Friday morning when Dhanbad Railway Division had to terminate the Dhanbad—Dehri-on-Sone  Intercity Express at Koderma station. The Dhanbad-Patna Express and the Patna-Dhanbad Express had to be cancelled in view of the massive protests across Bihar.  Asansol-Varanasi Express was terminated at Gomoh Junction, Barkakana-Varanasi Passenger Special train at Barwadih and Barkakana- Dehri-on-Sone Passenger train at Rai station. After the Dhanbad Dehri-on-Sone passenger train was terminated at Koderma station on Friday morning, passengers crowded the ticket counter seeking refunds. Koderma Sub-Divisional Police Officer Ashok Kumar, Railway Protection Force Koderma Post Inspector In-charge Jawaharlal, Tilaiya police station In-charge Ajay Kumar Singh and Sub Inspector Anand Mohan Kumar along with the police force were trying to keep the situation under control.