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A recruitment drive for 150 posts in the government agency Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA) saw a huge turnout of over 3,000 men at the Saroornagar Stadium on August 8, Saturday, resulting in a stampede-like situation. Police were seen using lathis with mild force to control the crowd, prompting criticism from Opposition parties.
The recruitment drive was to fill 100 Disaster Response Force (DRF) assistant posts and 50 driver posts. Candidates were asked to report to Saroornagar Stadium to undergo physical tests.
HYDRAA said in a statement that the arrival of over 3,000 aspirants created challenges in accepting applications and issuing tokens for physical tests.
“When thousands tried to surge forward simultaneously, an official who was frustrated by the challenge of controlling the crowd spoke harshly, but later pacified them,” the statement said, noting that HYDRAA officials struggled to manage the crowd but the candidates cooperated after understanding the situation.
HYDRAA had previously announced that the selection process would take place at Saroornagar Stadium on August 8 and 9. “Consequently, over 3,000 people arrived. Officials, with the help of the police, managed the crowd to prevent any stampede. Although there were initial difficulties, the youth cooperated with the recruitment process after repeated loudspeaker announcements assured them that all applications would be accepted and everyone would be given a chance to undergo physical tests,” HYDRAA’s statement said.