Rain causes stampede in Mulund, four injured

MUMBAI: Four persons were injured in a minor stampede Friday morning during a pharmacists’ registration exercise organised at Veena Nagar, Mulund (west).

The stampede took place after hundreds of young pharmacists and their parents gathered outside the office of Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council, located on the fourth floor of R-Square, LBS Road. Those with a diploma or degree from state pharmacy colleges approved by the Pharmacy Council of India are required to register themselves from August 7. The council conducted a registration and verification drive at its office, according to the Mulund police.

The police said that while about 300 pharmacists had been turning up at the venue daily, on Friday, nearly 800 turned up, resulting in chaos. Shripad Kale, senior police inspector, Mulund police station, told The Asian Age, “The online process of registration of pharmacists was supposed to begin on August 7, and the council conducted a registration and verification drive at its office. In the midst of the drive, it started raining, leading to panic.”

“At around 9.15am, the building gates were still closed, but there was a crowd outside and it started raining. The students and their parents started running for cover to a small shed so that the documents wouldn’t get damaged which led to the stampede,” said Kale.

While four people suffered minor injuries and were discharged after treatment, one person sustained injuries to his ear and has been hospitalised. He may have to undergo a surgery, said a police official, requesting anonymity.  

Dr Sandeep U. from privately-run said, “Aaditya Shingale (20) has been admitted in the emergency ward and his condition is stable.”

Police has been deployed at the council following the stampede.