Three students injured in minor stampede at Mulund

Three people were injured in a minor stampede at the Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council at Mulund on Friday morning.

Around 1,500 persons had gathered to submit offline forms at the council. According to Shripad Kale, senior police inspector, Mulund Police, "Since it started raining heavily, people began jostling to enter the council office for cover. This resulted in a minor stampede and three persons were injured.”

Aditya Vilas Shingare, 20, sustained injuries to his ear. He was immediately rushed to Fortis Hospital for treatment. Priyanka Suresh Ramgude (25) and Nikhil Jagwan Dande (23) were treated at the outpatient department at Agarwal Hospital.

According to a senior doctor, "Shingare has sustained injuries to his ear and has been hospitalised. He may have to undergo surgery."

Over 700 pharmacy students had queued up outside the council office to register themselves, and some policemen had also been deployed to keep order, he said.

The incident occurred after hundreds of young pharmacists and their parents turned up outside the office building of the Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council, located on the fourth floor of Rsquare on LBS Road. All candidates who have a diploma or degree from pharmacy colleges in Maharashtra that are approved by the Pharmacy Council of India are required to register themselves from August 7.

“The online process of registration of pharmacists was to begin on August 7, and the council was conducting a registration and verification drive in their office as well,” said Shripad Kale, senior police inspector, Mulund police station. Up to 250 to 300 freshly qualified pharmacists have been turning up daily, but on Friday, the numbers went up to 800, which led to chaos.