Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced his government’s plan to integrate most Agniveers into the Assam Police, reinforcing the State’s support for the Central Scheme. He highlighted this commitment on X, aligning Assam with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of modernising the Indian Army.
Condemning the Opposition’s attempts to discredit the scheme, CM Himanta remarked, “Bharat will ensure Opposition’s mission – to weaken the Indian Army by spreading lies on Agnipath Scheme – is defeated.” He underlined Assam’s proactive stance in supporting the welfare of Agniveers, aiming to enhance both State security and national defence modernisation.
This announcement followed a contentious exchange between the ruling party and the Opposition on July 26, during the Kargil Vijay Diwas commemorations.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge criticised PM Modi’s remarks about the Agnipath Scheme, accusing him of “petty politics” on such a solemn occasion.
“It is very unfortunate and deplorable that PM Narendra Modi is doing petty politics even on occasions like paying tribute to martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. No PM has ever done this before,” commented Kharge.
During his visit to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, PM Modi defended the Agnipath Scheme, asserting that necessary reforms had been made by the Army.
Accusing the Opposition of politicising national security, the PM mentioned, “The Agnipath scheme is also an example of the necessary reforms done by the Army… Unfortunately, some people have made such a sensitive issue related to national security a subject of politics. These are the same people who weakened our Army by committing scams worth thousands of crores.”
Kharge responded by accusing the PM of “spreading lies,” referencing former Army Chief General MM Naravane’s statement that 75per cent of recruits were intended to be kept permanently. Kharge argued that the scheme’s implementation deviated from its initial plans, claiming it was enforced without proper alignment with those plans.
