Stampede at navy recruitment rally in Mumbai

Two youths were injured in jostling and a stampede during a recruitment rally of the Indian Navy at the INS Hamla at Malad in the western suburbs of Mumbai.

According to reports, the Indian Navy was expecting around 4,000 youths to turn up, however, more than 6,000 people arrived for the special recruitment drive for Senior Secondary Recruits (SSR). The Naval police and the Mumbai Police had to intervene to bring the situation under control. Police also had to resort to lathi-charge.

“There were no arrangements here, there was no food, we had waited for hours...police also lathicharged us, some youths were injured,” said a youth who had come for the recruitment rally. They also said that the qualification announced was Class XII pass, but later they came to know that it was for those who had got 60% in Class XII.

“Due to the overwhelming response, a very large number of candidates have reported for the said drive. Adequate arrangements for crowd control have also been made in liaison with the Mumbai Police. However, due to some over-enthusiastic candidates desiring to enter the premises before the others, crowding resulted at the main gate of INS Hamla, which was controlled by the civil and naval police present at the site. Two candidates received minor injuries in this jostling at the main gate and were treated at the Naval Hospital at INS Hamla,” an Indian Navy official said.

The examination is currently in progress in shifts, and will continue till all eligible candidates with valid documents have been examined. It was later clarified that there has been no change in the minimum educational qualifications etc., and all candidates will get a chance to appear for the recruitment examination.