JIND: Khaps, former army personnel, farmers and students on Tuesday announced the launch of a joint agitation against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme for recruitment in the Indian Army. Several khaps of Haryana — farmer leaders, former defence personnel and students — held a panchayat in Jind district presided over by Capt Chand Ram (retd) on Tuesday. During the meeting which started at 12pm and went on till the evening, nine resolutions were passed.
These included: one, the Modi-led NDA government should resume permanent recruitment in Army; two, youth who have passed their medical and written examinations should be selected; three, the Agnipath scheme should be withdrawn; four, a march will be taken out from Talu village in Bhiwani district to Lajwana Kalan in Jind district on June 27 as two young men have ended their lives in these villages over the scheme; five, a mahapanchayat will be called in Lajwana Kalan on June 27; six, an agitation will be started under the national flag against the scheme; seven, youth will lead the peaceful agitation and rest of the outfits will back them; eight, 10 prominent people of the panchayat will take part in a meeting called in Sampla town of Rohtak on June 22; and nine, a one-day protest will be organised at tehsil and district levels on June 24.
Capt Ram said the heads of the three defence wings were under pressure. “Even Indian Army officials and soldiers are not happy with the decision, but they can’t hold a protest; therefore, they are mum. It takes five years to be a trained soldier. The highest number of casualties were of youngsters during Kargil War as most of them did not have much experience. There should be full-time service in the Indian Army, rather than being inducted on contract basis. Such a move will weaken the security of the country as well,” he added. BKU state president Gurnam Singh Charuni too reached the panchayat. He urged youngsters to maintain peace and discipline during the protest.
