India
Stampede occured due to an overwhelming response to the recruitment rally.
Updated : Sep 09, 2016, 11:41 AM IST
There was a stampede during a recruitment rally at INS Hamla (Mumbai) this morning for Senior Secondary Recruits. An overwhelming response to the exam led to the stampede. incident.
There are at least four casualties, but the nature of injuries are unknown. The casualties have been taken to naval hospital inside INS Hamla.
The Indian Navy in a statement said, "There was a recruitment rally at INS Hamla Malad this morning for SSR ie Senior Secondary Recruits. We were expecting a good response from volunteers. However the response was overwhelming and crowd control created a bit of confusion (in the early hours) which was subsequently handled very efficiently by the local police and Navy officials."
Visuals from aftermath of stampede at at INS Hamla (Mumbai) this morning during recruitment rally. pic.twitter.com/JrGe6XZpD9
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 9, 2016
Visuals from last night-candidates gathered at INS Hamla (Mumbai) for recruitment rally, lead to stampede in morning pic.twitter.com/ptoNQfvFsH
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 9, 2016
But candidates have alleged that they were lathicharged when they protested as the cut off was changed from 50% to 60%. "Fifty percent was the cut off, when they saw the crowd they made it 60%. When we protested police lathi charged," said a student. "We came from so far away and now we are not being given chance, some even slept here. Now they are not being allowed to sit for exam," he said.
The Mumbai Police has denied there was any lathicharge. "There was no lathicharge, people got injured because the crowd was massive," Police on stampede at INS Hamla, Mumbai.
The Indian Navy has clarified on the incident. "There was no intention of refusing other people. We will continue recruitment drive till the last man with requisite requirements is entertained. Just to control crowd, we called in people with 60% and over inside the gate," DK Sharma (PRO Navy) on INS Hamla stampede.
With inputs from Ateeq Shaikh.