• Agnipath recruitment scheme met with massive protests, some of which turned violent.
• In Bihar, police said 250 people were arrested from across the state during the day.
• Police said this brings the total number of arrests so far in agitation since Thursday at 718.

Protests in Agnipath: Police claimed 250 individuals were arrested across the state during the day; bringing the total number of arrests since Thursday to 718.

For the fourth day in a row, large protests, some of which became violent; erupted against the Centre’s newly launched Agnipath recruitment scheme for the defence forces; particularly in Bihar.

The Narendra Modi-led government provided crucial reservations in numerous key areas for Agnipath recruits, known as Agniveers; but the announcement did not sit well with demonstrators who are largely defence aspirants who are concerned; with the recruitment scheme’s short-term contractual character.

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Meanwhile, demonstrators continued to target railway stations, trains, and other public buildings; resulting in billions of rupees in losses and the cancellation of train services.

Violence erupted in Bihar, the worst-affected state; during a state-wide bandh called by Army recruits to urge their demand; for a reversal of the new recruiting procedure.

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