Hundreds of students marched towards the Arunachal Pradesh State Selection Board’s (APSSB) office in Itanagar on February 17, seeking fresh examination within a month and immediate suspension of APSSB Chairman AC Verma and other officials for their alleged involvement in corruption.

Along with the APSSB chairman, the students also sought resignation of Secretary-cum-Controller of Examination SK Jain and Undersecretary Kapter Ringu for their alleged misconduct during the recently-held examination for the post of Lower Divisional Clerk and Junior Secretariat Assistant.

The Special Investigation Cell (SIC) of Arunachal Pradesh Police has registered a case on the direction of the state government and launched an investigation in the matter. “In relation to alleged malpractices in exam conducted by APSSB, FIR no. 03/20 u/s 468, 469, 471, 120B IPC and Sec 13(2) PC (Prevention of Corruption) Act has been registered at PS SIC,” Chief Minister Pema Khandu said in a tweet

Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar tweeted, “A special team has been constituted to enquire into the matter on priority basis so that truth can be brought out without any delay.”

The Chief Minister in an earlier tweet wrote: “I have directed CS for fast-track probe into alleged irregularities in exam conducted by SSB. I assure speedy justice & those involved won’t be spared no matter who they are. None can play with future of our youths. SSB was biggest reform brought for transparency in recruitment.”

As per the allegation, one OMR sheet of a candidate (bearing Roll No 2025546), which was left blank allegedly during the exam conducted on February 2, went viral on social media soon after the results of the exam for recruitment of lower divisional clerk (LDC), junior secretariat assistant (JSA) and other posts were published on the Board website on Friday. In the result sheet, the candidate was shown as shortlisted for the skill test, which is of qualifying in nature.

Asked whether any arrest has been made, SP (SIC) M Harsha Vardhan said, “Investigation is still going on… will inform in case of any update.”

While the chief secretary assured to look into the demands, the candidates cautioned that they would launch a series of democratic movements if the demands are not fulfilled within two days. The candidates’ protest was supported by the Rajiv Gandhi University Students’ Union and student leaders from various other organisations including All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union.

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Avatar photo
About TNM NewsDesk

-

The News Mill is a Guwahati-based digital media with focus on content from across Northeast India and beyond. We can be reached through [email protected]