No stampede but bit confusion during recruitment drive in Malad: Indian Navy

The Indian Navy on Friday denied reports suggesting that stampede took place during the recruitment drive outside INS Hamla in Malad and said that there was a bit of confusion as the candidates were unaware about the segregation process, which caused the confusion.

"Stampede was not there, there was a bit of confusion because normally we get 1,500 to 2,000 people but today it was more than three times. And to control that kind of crowd, we had made segregations that first we will take 60 percent and above then probably 50 percent and above and then 40 percent and above," Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D.H. Sharma said.

He assured that there was no intention of refusing any candidate as the recruitment drive will continue until the last man is entertained.

"To control the crowd, we had initially made an announcement that people with 60 percent and above to come inside the gate. There was no intention of refusing the other people," said Captain Sharma.

"And I can assure you that this recruitment drive will continue till the last man or the last student is entertained by our recruitment team, which means that he should have the requisite qualification and requisite papers with him -- which is certificates - bonafide certificates," he said.

As per reports, several people sustained injuries in a stampede at a naval base in Mumbai's Malad, where thousands of candidates had gathered for a recruitment drive this morning.

The situation went out of control when around 6,000 candidates showed up at the base, INS Hamla, instead of the expected 4,000.