Stampede-like situation as 20,000-strong crowd throngs Indian army recruitment drive
by Aditi VermaThousands of Army aspirants from various states camped in northern India’s Uttarakhand for the Territorial Army recruitment drive, facing allegations of inadequate food, shelter, and transport. The district administration denied the claims, citing prior arrangements.
The incident took place at Pithoragarh, a district located in the Kumaon region on November 20.
Visuals showed a massive crowd of over 10,000 aspirants gathered at the Territorial Army recruitment rally creating a tense atmosphere. Groups of young men stood together, some chanting slogans, while others discussed grievances. Police teams, positioned strategically, tried to manage the swelling numbers. The scene was chaotic, with aspirants holding bags and resting on roadsides, while vehicles struggled to navigate through. Amid the crowd, occasional altercations arose, and the presence of law enforcement escalated as the mood grew restless.
According to reports the massive crowd of over 18,000 Army aspirants gathered in Pithoragarh for the Territorial Army recruitment rally, competing for 133 posts. The influx included candidates from Uttar Pradesh, who reportedly diverted to the location after their scheduled rally in Bihar’s Danapur was postponed. The Army later clarified that a recruitment drive in Danapur would take place from November 26 to December 1, allowing participation from Uttar Pradesh candidates.
Aspirants were sleeping on roads, footpaths, and even inside bus boot spaces. Some claimed they paid up to ₹10,000 to reach the venue but faced inadequate food, lodging, and transportation. However, district officials refuted these allegations, stating that necessary arrangements were made. Despite this, police resorted to a lathi-charge to manage the overwhelming crowd.
The unexpected turnout underscored the challenges of coordinating large-scale recruitment events, leaving many aspirants disheartened. Authorities assured that steps would be taken to prevent such issues in future recruitment drives.