Pithoragarh: A massive crowd of Army aspirants from various states camped in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh on Wednesday for the Territorial Army recruitment drive. The recruitment process is ongoing at the district headquarters for various posts like barber, clerk, cook, carpenter and other duties.
According to the press note released by the Army, around 35,000 people arrived in Pithoragarh for 117 Territorial Army posts, translating to 300 applicants per post in this drive. Many candidates complained about the lack of accommodation, food, and transportation, which the district administration denied. The police had to resort to lathi-charge to manage the massive crowd.
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What is the Territorial Army?
The Territorial Army, a part of the Indian Army, offers aspirants the chance to serve in part-time military roles. The recruitment process includes a physical test, a written exam, document verification, and a medical examination.
No proper accommodation, food and shelter
Although the Army arranged food and accommodation for the candidates in hotels, school premises, and government buildings, these provisions were insufficient for the large turnout. So far, the recruitment process for candidates from Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh has been completed. However, many of these candidates were left without transportation to return home, forcing them to spend the night under the open sky.
Pithoragarh District Magistrate Vinod Giri Goswami stated that arrangements included langars (community kitchen) and transportation to Pithoragarh. Accommodation was provided in 30 schools, with food distribution at 18 locations. Over 100 Uttarakhand Roadway buses and around 250 taxis were deployed to transport candidates from the plains.
Barging into buses, paying exorbitant taxi rates
A video showed young men sleeping on roads and footpaths, spending the entire night without enough accommodation. The Army aspirants reported paying exorbitant fares, up to Rs 10,000, to travel to Pithoragarh from various locations. Footage also captured several young men climbing into a Uttarakhand Roadways bus, with one even entering through a window. Others were seen cramped in the bus’s boot space due to overcrowding. Besides, taxi operators were demanding Rs 10,000 for ten passengers. With only four Uttarakhand Roadways buses available, clashes occurred, forcing us to use taxis from Tanakpur and Haldwani as the only option. “The district administration did not make any arrangements” an Army aspirant claimed.
Territorial Army recruitment of Uttar Pradesh scheduled in Bihar’s Danapur was postponed
The surge in the number of candidates is attributed to the postponed Territorial Army recruitment in Uttar Pradesh, initially scheduled to be held in Danapur, Bihar. Consequently, many young men from Uttar Pradesh began arriving in Pithoragarh. The Army administration issued a letter stating that a recruitment rally will now take place in Danapur from November 26 to December 1, allowing candidates from Uttar Pradesh to participate in the drive.
Hired 55 school buses to cater to the expected demand
Due to the recruitment drive, schools in Pithoragarh are closed from November 20-22. District Magistrate Vinod Giri Goswami estimated that 10,000 to 12,000 Army aspirants would arrive in Uttarakhand on November 22 and 23. To manage the crowd, 55 school buses have been hired. “Proper arrangements have been made for November 22 and 23 when the recruitment process will take place,” Goswami said.
