In Bihar Agnipath Protests Have Led To Rs 200 Cr Losses To Railways, 50 Coaches, 5 Engines Burnt
The protests against the government's Agnipath Scheme for armed forces recruitment entered their fourth day in Bihar on Saturday.
On Saturday too, there was widespread violence across Bihar, mostly centered around railway stations.
In the four days, demonstrators have repeatedly targeted trains, railway stations and properties, even setting fire to many of them.
Rs 200 crore losses for railways
According to Prabhat Kumar, the Divisional Manager for the Danapur Rail Division, the four days of protests have led to a loss of Rs 200 crore to the railways.
Kumar told ANI that the losses include fifty coaches and five engines that were completely burnt and went out of service.?
In addition to this, the vandalism has damaged platforms, computers and various technical parts of the railways.
Train services have also been badly affected across Bihar, due to the ongoing violence, forcing authorities to cancel many of them.
Railway minister appeals for calm
On Saturday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the government will take action towards further strengthening the Railways Act to protect the property of the national carrier.
"I think there is a need to further strengthen the Railways Act and we will take action on this so that railway property can be further protected," Vaishnaw said.?
Currently, those found guilty of damaging railway property are charged under section 151 of the Indian Railway Act, which has a provision of a maximum of seven years of imprisonment.
Vaishnaw also appealed to the protestors to not take the law into their hands. "The government will listen to all your concerns and they will be addressed."
"We have to understand that the Railways is your own property and it provides service to that section which cannot afford flights and where no flight services exist," Vaishnaw said.
He also said damaging railway property and disrupting rail services is not a solution for the protestors.
Bihar Police sees conspiracy
Meanwhile, Bihar Police on Saturday said it is probing the role of coaching centres in inciting violent protests against the Agnipath recruitment scheme.
Patna DM Chandrashekhar Singh said an FIR was filed against 170 people, out of whom 46 were arrested for vandalism at Danapur railway station.
Video footage and WhatsApp messages of some coaching centres have been found from those who have been arrested for vandalism at Danapur railway station, the Patna DM said. "We're probing the role of coaching centres based on that content. Stringent action will be taken against coaching institutes if their involvement is established," Singh said.
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