Agnipath Scheme row: BJP seeks NIA action against Congress Chhattisgarh MLA

BJP has written to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) urging it to take cognisance of a video showing a Congress MLA in Chhattisgarh allegedly inciting violence during the protest against the Centre's Agnipath military recruitment scheme.

BJP Chhattisgarh chief Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday wrote to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), demanding an investigation against Vikram Shah Mandavi, Congress MLA from Bijapur, for allegedly instigating tribal youth against the Agnipath scheme.

He also alleged that a conspiracy was being hatched to instigate violence in the name of the Agnipath scheme in the state.

"The statement of Mandavi, who represents a tribal-dominated and Naxal-affected area, is an attempt to provoke innocent tribals to commit violence. His act is clearly anti-national. The NIA should take suo moto cognizance and investigate Congress' role in well-planned violence that happened during the protest against Agnipath," Sai wrote in the letter.

Mandavi allegedly asked the youth to protest against the Centre's Agnipath military recruitment scheme in a manner similar to Bihar by setting vehicles on fire and causing other violent incidents.

The Agnipath Scheme, which was approved by the cabinet on June 14, was launched in an effort to bring a change in the recruitment process of the Armed Forces. With the new military recruitment scheme facing criticism, the Centre decided to granting a one-time waiverand on June 16 announced that the upper age limit for recruitments via Agnipath Scheme has been extended to 23 years from 21 years.

-ANI

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