Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Indian authorities have suspended internet services in several states in East Bihar. This was followed by protests against a new soldier recruitment program in the country.

A local police official said the suspension of internet services was aimed at stopping public gatherings and lawless protests against planned military recruitment under the new scheme.

A protester has been killed and more than a dozen others injured in a series of demonstrations in several parts of the country. In particular against Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new policy of hiring soldiers for short periods.

Through a system dubbed “Agnipath” (Way of Fire), he aims to attract more people into the military with short four-year contracts. This is done to lower the average age of India’s armed forces by 1.38 million and reduce pension costs which continue to soar.

Protesters, especially young men, said the plan would limit opportunities for permanent defense force jobs. Especially those that guarantee a fixed salary, pension and other benefits.

Many have taken to the streets in Bihar, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to protest the plan. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp have been blocked in 15 out of 38 districts in Bihar.

This was revealed by a senior state police official, Sanjay Singh. Where protesters have burned passenger trains and buses this week to express their anger.

In Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, police have arrested at least 250 people. Some protesters also accused the police of using excessive force.

Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has urged young people to enroll under the new scheme. Meanwhile, the Navy chief on Friday did not expect the protests to be of this magnitude due to possible misinformation about the new system.

“I hadn’t anticipated protests like this,” said Admiral R. Hari Kumar, Reuters TV partner, ANI.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]