Pune: Chaos at Recruitment Drive as Gate Breaks; Police Deny Stampede Claims

Pune, 19th March 2025: A video from the ongoing police recruitment drive in Pune has gone viral, bringing attention once again to the growing unemployment crisis in Maharashtra. The footage, reportedly from the Pune police headquarters in Shivajinagar, shows a chaotic scene as a large crowd of female candidates rushes inside after a gate collapses.

The recruitment drive, which began on January 29, opened applications for 531 women prison police posts. However, more than 3,000 candidates arrived for the selection process today, leading to a surge at the entry gate. The pressure from the crowd caused the gate to break at around 4 a.m., resulting in several candidates falling and momentary panic.

Eyewitnesses claim a stampede-like situation unfolded for about five to ten minutes before police managed to restore order. Some candidates reportedly sustained minor injuries.

Despite the viral video and concerns raised on social media, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Sandeep Bhajibhakare has refuted claims of a stampede. He stated, “The recruitment process has been ongoing for over a month. We have been calling candidates in batches, starting with 500-1000 and now at 1500 per session. Today, as recruitment for female candidates began, many of their parents also accompanied them, leading to a larger crowd than usual. However, there was no stampede. The situation was quickly brought under control, and the recruitment is proceeding in a disciplined manner.”