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Papri Sri Raman in Madras
Nearly 8,000 young men aspiring for a career in the armed forces turned up on the first day of a recruitment drive being conducted by the Indian army in Madras, but the numbers proved too large for the authorities to cope with.
Police had to cane-charge the surging mass to restore order, injuring 19, of whom seven had to be hospitalised.
"We were beaten on the legs," complained one of the aspirants.
He said he would not give his name as it might affect his chances of being selected.
"I was beaten on the back of my neck," said another.
The six-day recruitment drive, an annual feature, began on Friday.
Eight thousand young hopefuls turned up on the first day itself, in response to posters and banners that had been displayed all over the city.
The prospective soldiers were told to assemble in a large ground in north Madras, popularly known as the Island Ground, where fairs are generally held.
The aspirants had been told to form up in queues prior to undergoing a series of tests that would gauge their suitability for recruitment.
However, all hell broke loose as the gates of the screening area were opened and the crowds rushed forward.
Police attempted to restore order and resorted to a cane-charge when all other efforts failed. Seven persons had to be taken to hospital while a dozen were administered first aid at the grounds.
Hospital sources said the injured had been admitted to the trauma care centre and were being treated for 'traumatic asphyxia', breathlessness and suffocation.
The sources added the brain cells of some of the victims could be damaged due to lack of oxygen and suffocation of this kind.
Police sought to blame the army authorities for the 'utter commotion and great deal of confusion' at the event.
The army, however, said that the event was held outside cantonment limits, where maintaining order was the responsibility of the police.
Indo-Asian News Service
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