Violent protests at Secunderabad railway station against the Agnipath scheme were not spontaneous. Multiple audio messages circulating among protesters affirm clinical planning, rabblerousing and mob mobilisation.

An audio call accessed by a national daily indicates the conspiracy angle. “When are you coming tomorrow to Secunderabad railway station? Come armed with petrol, tyres and old clothes. We will not find these at the railway station. So if you bring these along, we can torch vehicles and trains, and disrupt railway services,” one of the messages found on the mobile phone of a protester said.

During probe, Telangana railway police unearthed a plot to trigger similar protests at Visakhapatnam. Police are trying to zero in on the conspirators by analysing WhatsApp call details. “We have accessed multiple audio clips with appeals to carry petrol and set ablaze public property,” said a police officer.

Some of these protesters were allegedly assisted by their tutors who coached them for entrance exams.

(With inputs from agencies)