Explained: why Indian army may suspend Agnipath drive in Punjab

The army is mulling to suspend the recruitment drives under the recently launched Agnipath scheme as a report in The Indian Express suggested that the armed forces are not getting support from the local Aam Admi Party government.

The newspaper reported that Zonal Recruitment Officer for Jalandhar, Major General Sharad Bikram Singh, in a letter addressed to the top official of the Bhagwant Mann government informed about the confusing communication from the local administration.

To conduct the recruitment drive there are certain necessary arrangements required from the local administration. The Indian army letter had asked for police deployment for law and order, barricading to enable smooth entry of candidates, emergency medical support, and food for 3000 to 4000 participants per day for 14 days.

The army had asked the Punjab administration to make a commitment to the enlisted demands but the local officials told the newspaper that there were some small issues which have been ironed out. The Punjab chief secretary didn’t respond to the queries from the newspaper

As per official details, 27000 candidates are expected to participate in the rallies from six districts in Patiala from September 17 to 30. While a recruitment rally is underway in Gurdaspur, in Ludhiana, one recruitment drive was held in August.

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