Heavy security beefed up at Guntur railway station after Agnipath violence

Guntur: Following the violent protest that took place in Secunderabad railway station on Friday that claimed a person's life and injured many, the  Guntur railway station in Andhra Pradesh has been put on high alert after anti Agnipath scheme protests after a message circulated urging the students to hold a protest at the railway station. Security was beefed up at New Guntur, Nallapadu and Rail recruitment office.

The senior officials have been monitoring the situation since Friday morning.

Besides Railway Protection Force, the local police and the government railway police were deployed at the station to prevent any untoward incidents.

The GRP personnel are coordinating with the local police and RPF to ensure the safety of the passengers as well as to secure the premises and properties of the railway stations.

The police warned that they file cases and open rowdy sheet on the protetstors if they try to disturb law and order.

Meanwhile, the police arrested 200 protestors in order to avoid untoward situations at the station.

Earlier in the day, after the Agnipath violence in Secunderabad on Friday, Railway authorities on Saturday closed the Visakhapatnam railway station and has beefed up security at all other major stations in Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure to prevent protests against the Central government's Agnipath military recruitment scheme.

Following intelligence alerts about army aspirants planning massive protests, authorities have shut down the station and stopped the trains at 7 am. Officials said that the station will remain closed till noon.

Passengers were allowed into the station till 7 am. after thorough checking. Later, the authorities declared the station will remain closed for all.

All trains coming from Vijayawada were being stopped or diverted at the Duvvada railway station on the outskirts. Trains coming from Howrah were being stopped or diverted at Kothavalasa.

Meanwhile, a high alert was sounded at the Guntur railway station following reports that youth aspiring to join the army are planning a huge protest. Authorities beefed up the security and were allowing passengers to enter the premises only after checking their tickets.

At least 20 youths who were heading towards the Guntur station were arrested by police at Kothapet. The alert was sounded in view of reports messages were being circulated on WhatsApp for the planned protest at Guntur station.

Security was also beefed up at Vijayawada, Kurnool, Tirupati and other major railway stations in Andhra Pradesh as a precautionary measure in the wake of violent protests at the Secunderabad railway station on Friday.

Large scale violence rocked Secunderabad station as hundreds of youth went on a rampage, setting afire trains, goods and vandalizing the station.

One person was killed and four others were injured when the railway police opened fire to control the situation.

After the protest lasting for more than nine hours, police arrested the youth.

Train services resumed late Friday.