Assam CM Orders Probe After Woman Constable 'Searches' Examinee's Private Parts

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday ordered an inquiry after a job aspirant accused a woman constable of searching her private parts before the former entered an examination hall in Nalbari during the test for filling up Group-III posts.

The state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) later sent a letter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleging violation of the candidate's basic rights.

Sarma added that the director general of police informed him of another incident in North Lakhimpur, where "cheating material" was recovered from a woman candidate during the exam.

"My instruction to the police on the Nalbari incident - I spoke with the DGP, Assam , @gpsinghips and instructed him to investigate the incident where a girl student has alleged that a lady constable searched her private parts before she entered the examination hall," Sarma posted on 'X'.

"For me, the dignity and respect of our mothers and sisters are of utmost importance and non-negotiable," he said.

Meanwhile, a person has been detained for allegedly photographing and circulating the question papers after the test was over, to ascertain whether it was a part of a “criminal conspiracy” to defame the examination process, an official release said.

“Since this appears to be done with mischievous intention to spread rumours and confusion in the minds of the people, strict legal action is being taken against such persons,” it said.

The release added that since question papers after the examination are no more confidential, in future, it is also being considered to allow these to be taken away by the candidates after completion of the test.

Sarma said the government has a crucial task of conducting the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) with the highest level of integrity and transparency, he said.

"We owe this to the entire younger generation of ours, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances," Sarma said.

At the same time, it must be ensured that the "decency and dignity of female candidates are upheld at all times", he said.

"A proper standard operating procedure (SOP) should be developed, taking into account the relevant judgments from the Hon’ble Courts and guidelines from the Women’s Commission regarding the conduct of searches involving women, and this must be circulated before the next round of examinations," the chief minister said.

Later in the day, senior AAP leader Amlanjyoti Hatibaruah submitted a complaint to the NHRC over a “violation” of human rights during the recruitment exams.

He alleged that aspirants’ basic rights were violated under the pretext of security checks, and these are not “isolated” complaints by the candidates, but rather part of a “systematic and invasive practice observed across multiple examination centres, which grossly undermined the dignity of the candidates”.

In the letter, Hatibaruah demanded an investigation into the accusations.

The Assam Direct Recruitment Examination to fill up vacant Group III posts was held on Sunday, amid tight security and suspension of internet services for three and a half hours across the state.

After the exams, the chief minister had said the first ADRE had concluded peacefully, and expressed his deep gratitude to all the "officers and staff of the Assam government who have successfully completed this monumental task without any issue".

Internet services were suspended from 10 am to 1:30 pm on Sunday amid heavy deployment of security forces outside the examination centres.

Altogether 11,23,204 candidates were eligible to appear for the examination in 2,305 centres across the state.

(with PTI inputs)