In a significant upheaval at the ongoing Territorial Army Recruitment Rally, army aspirants clashed with authorities on Saturday after many were denied entry to the Kariyappa Ground at Sainik Chowk in Danapur. The incident unfolded on the fifth day of the rally, resulting in a chaotic scene that prompted a rescheduling of the recruitment process for candidates from Bihar, which will now take place district-wise starting from November 28.
As approximately 40,000 candidates gathered at the Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) in Danapur to participate in the open recruitment, challenges arose due to the facility’s capacity limitations. The BRC can accommodate only 3,000 candidates per day, leading to a tense situation when many aspirants found themselves turned away. Chaos ensued, forcing local authorities to intervene.
Danapur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Divya Shakti, City Superintendent of Police (SP) Sharath RS, and other officials, including SDPO Bhanu Pratap Singh, BDO Vibhesh Anand, and CO Chandan Kumar, arrived at the scene to manage the unfolding situation with the support of local police forces. Reports indicated that mild police force was necessary to disperse the frustrated crowd.
In light of this upheaval, the Indian Army issued a notification clarifying that the recruitment rally initially scheduled for November 16 and 17 would be extended. The new plan calls for a district-wise recruitment process to manage the overwhelming turnout, which has caused significant congestion and unrest at the venue. The specifics of the district-wise schedule are expected to be communicated soon to all candidates.
At a subsequent press conference, SDPO Singh addressed the crowd control challenges faced by authorities, emphasizing that with the assistance of police and other support agencies, order was ultimately restored. Candidates were informed via public announcements that the recruitment for Saturday had concluded and that the examination slated for Sunday had also been rescheduled.
The announcement assured candidates that those who missed out on the opportunity would have another chance to participate in the recruitment drive. A letter from the Army Infantry’s enrollment officer outlined the new strategy to mitigate overcrowding at the BRC, reinforcing the commitment to provide all aspirants a fair chance at recruitment.
When questioned about reports of police using lathi-charges during the incident, the SDPO firmly stated that no such action was taken, clarifying that police intervention was limited to managing the crowd dynamically.
Adding to the context of recruitment chaos, it is noteworthy that earlier this year, a similar situation unfolded during the Jharkhand excise constable recruitment drive, which was postponed following the tragic deaths of 15 aspirants during physical tests.
As the Indian Army gears up for the restructured recruitment process set to begin on November 28, both candidates and officials alike are hopeful for a smoother experience that prioritizes safety and accessibility for all aspiring soldiers.
