Indian police fire live ammunition at protesters

Indian police fire live ammunition at protesters

Indian police on Friday fired live ammunition to disperse crowds who had set fire to trains to protest a plan to recruit young men into the army.

According to an AFP photographer in Secunderabad (south), at least one was injured in those gunshots. Hundreds of people had entered the tracks, blocked the trains and set fire to at least four trains. Local police were not immediately available.

Protests have erupted in several cities across India since police on Thursday fired tear gas at protesters in the eastern state of Bihar who set fire to trains and attempted to storm government buildings to protest an army recruitment plan.

The Indian government this week announced a temporary recruitment plan aimed at enlisting young adults into the army for four years without the benefits previously granted to members of the professional army. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has touted the plan as a way to modernize India’s armed forces with young recruits and tackle unemployment.

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