Hyderabad: Chaos ensued at Saroornagar Stadium on Saturday afternoon as more than 3,000 applicants turned up for 150 contract jobs opened by the Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency (HYDRAA). These jobs included 100 posts for Disaster Response Force (DRF) assistants and 50 for drivers.According to the officials, several applicants attempted to enter the premises at the same time, and the crowd quickly started going out of hand.“We did not expect such huge crowds. It was very difficult to accept applications and then lead people further for the physical test,” said AV Ranganath, commissioner, HYDRAA.Police personnel were then soon deployed to regulate the crowds and prevent any possibility of a stampede. “At one point, an official lost his patience and spoke harshly to the applicants before the situation was brought under control,” commissioner Ranganath said.Videos circulating online showed applicants jostling and pushing one another as they tried to reach the entry line. The crowd surge created a tense, stampede-like situation at the stadium, prompting police and officials to intervene and regulate the movement of candidates.Officials repeatedly made announcements over loudspeakers, assuring candidates that applications from everyone would be accepted and that all applicants would be given an opportunity to appear for the physical tests. The assurances helped calm the crowd, with the aspirants subsequently cooperating with the authorities.The walk-in selection process was announced for August 8 and 9. Candidates are being selected through physical tests, with no written examination. The physical tests include running, sprinting, long jump and shot put.
