New Delhi, June 18: Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Saturday appealed to the youth, who are protesting against the recently launched Agnipath Scheme of the Centre for the recruitment into the Armed Forces, not to indulge in violence and said that the government is "seriously listening to their concerns".

Protests broke out in various parts of the country following the launch of the scheme. In some parts of the country, the protests took a violent turn where stone-pelting was witnessed at some places while trains were set on fire at some places including Bihar and Telangana. Agnipath Scheme Protest in Uttar Pradesh: Protesters Set Empty Bogey on Fire in Ballia, Several Trains Cancelled as Precautionary Measure.

Speaking to ANI, Thakur said that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports is mulling over bringing out something for the Agniveers when they retire from service in the Armed Forces.

"I appeal to youth that violence is not the right way. Govt is seriously listening to your concerns. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports also mulling to do something for them when they come after 4 years of their service to provide some crash courses and to provide training to those who want to become physical education teachers," he said.

"15 lakh physical education teachers' posts are lying vacant in various states. We're thinking in this direction also," he added. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the Ministry of Defence for 'Agniveers' meeting requisite eligibility criteria.

According to the Office of the Defence Minister, the reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard and defence civilian posts, and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings.

The announcement of the Ministry comes amid the protests that broke out following the launch of the Agnipath Scheme by the Centre which is a new recruitment procedure for the Defence Forces. Notably, the protests have turned violent in many parts of the country.

Earlier today, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced that 'Agniveers' will be absorbed into the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles at the end of their four-year term in the army. MHA also announced three years of age relaxation, beyond the upper age limit to Agniveers for recruitment in CAPFs and Assam Rifles.

For the first batch of Agniveers, age relaxation will be for 5 years beyond the upper age limit. The Union Cabinet on June 14 approved a recruitment scheme for Indian youth to serve in the three services of the Armed Forces called Agnipath and the youth selected under this scheme will be known as Agniveers.

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