SHIMLA: Learning lessons from the previous paper leak, the police constable recruitment examination of Himachal Pradesh was held amid tight security arrangements on Sunday. Candidates were allowed to enter the examination centre only after frisking. The examination was conducted at 81 centres, under the surveillance of CCTV cameras, videographers wehere CCTVs were not available, and jammers.
The exam for 1,334 posts of constables was held from 12pm to 1pm, but candidates started reaching centres several hours before the scheduled time as they were asked to reach three hours in advance.
All candidates, who had qualified the physical efficiency test (PET) and physical standard test (PST) concluded on March 3 this year were eligible to appear for the written examination. Also, 122 candidates who had earlier been found using unfair means to quality the test, were barred from sitting for the job exam.
DGP Sanjay Kundu said of the total 75,681 candidates, 69,427 appeared (92%) for the written exam, while 6,254 candidates were absent. He said the exam was conducted peacefully, without any case of unfair means.
At many places, entry was allowed only after checking shoes and jackets of candidates. Cap, belts, jackets, purses, mobile phones, watches and any kind of electronic devices were kept outside the examination centre. Apart from this, carry bags and water bottles were also not allowed.
The DGP said provision of handheld metal detectors and door frame metal detector (DFMD) were made at the entrance of examination centres. He said 1,351 jammers were installed at examination centres/halls to block/restrict all kinds of external communication through electronic devices.
He said centre superintendents and invigilators were hired from government and private educational institutes, and flying squads headed by SPs and commandants were constituted for surprise checking.
He said vigilance teams from the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau were deployed to keep surveillance over malafide practices and activities of any kind, and CID teams were deployed for collection of advance intelligence regarding any suspicious activities.
He said three senior-level IPS officers were appointed as observers in three police ranges under the overall supervision of ADGP Abhishek Trivedi.
Also, 126 officers were deployed for duties during written examination. He added the DGP along with ADGP (AP&T) remained present at police headquarters in Shimla to monitor all activities.
