Youth supporting Agnipath scheme allegedly thrashed by Congress workers amid protest in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu

Jaipur: As the Congress continues to protest against the Centre's newly launched Agnipath scheme, a youth was roughed up by alleged party workers. According to reports quoting onlookers the incident had occurred while the party had staged a 'dharna' against the initiative in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu.

As the protest continued, the youth in question had sought permission to speak about the scheme. On being given a mike, he started counting the benefits of the scheme which irked the agitators. Khalil Budana, General Secretary of the District Congress Committee, had allegedly snatched the mike from the youth and thrashed him.

As the attack commenced, the deputed police personnel had rushed to the dias.

"When the saw the demonstration the against the Agnipath scheme, I wanted to tell them about its benefits and took the mic with the consent of the organisers. When I started counting the benefits of the scheme, people got furious, snatched mike and started beating me," the youth recounted. Jagdeep Singh is a resident of Lohsana in Churu district.

The allegations have however been denied by the Congress. Party official Khaleel Budana who had allegedly assaulted the youth insisted that the details of the Agnipath scheme had simply been explained to to Singh.

Under the scheme, the government had said youths between the ages of 17-and-a-half and 21 years would be inducted for a four-year tenure, while 25 per cent of them will be subsequently inducted for regular service. The government had on June 16 increased the upper age limit for recruitment under the scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022, and subsequently announced a slew of placatory steps like a preference for Agniveers in central paramilitary forces and defence public sector undertakings upon their retirement.

Many BJP-ruled states also declared the 'Agniveers' -- as the soldiers inducted under the Agnipath scheme will be known -- will be accorded priority in induction into state police forces.

The armed forces have, however, made it clear those who had indulged in violent protests and arson against the new recruitment scheme will not be inducted.