Assam: CM directs probe into lady constable’s search of girl student’s private parts during ADR Exam

Guwahati (Assam) [India], September 16 (ANI): Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday directed the state police chief to investigate the allegations of a girl student that a lady constable “searched her private parts” before she entered the examination hall in Nalbari during the Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE).

Over 11.23 lakh students appeared for the direct recruitment examination on Sunday.

The CM also said that the Assam Director General of Police (DGP) GP Singh informed him of another incident in North Lakhimpur, where “cheating material was recovered from the inner garment of a girl student on the same day.”

In a post on X, CM Sarma emphasised the need for the investigation and the implementation of strict procedural guidelines to ensure both integrity in the examination process and the “dignity and respect” of woman candidates.

“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. For me, the dignity and respect of our mothers and sisters are of utmost importance and non-negotiable. The DGP also informed me of another incident in North Lakhimpur, where cheating material was recovered from the inner garment of a girl student on the same day,” the Chief Minister said in the post on X.

CM Sarma said that the ADR Examination must be conducted with utmost integrity and that compromising on this front is unacceptable.

“To conduct the ADRE examination with the highest level of integrity and transparency. We owe this to the entire younger generation of ours, and it cannot be compromised under any circumstances,” the post mentioned.

“At the same time, we must ensure the decency and dignity of our female candidates are upheld at all times. Therefore, a proper SOP should be developed, taking into account the relevant judgements 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,” he added.

The Chief Minister also, in a later post, said that the first phase of the ADRE was conducted peacefully and expressed his gratitude to all the officers and staff of the Assam Government

“I once again assure our younger generation that transparency will remain our hallmark when it comes to government recruitment,” he added.

Meanwhile, DGP GP Singh said that the police have taken cognisance of the complaint and the Range DIG has been directed to enquire into the matter.

“Reference complaint of overreach by women police personnel during checking of women candidates at Nalbari during recruitment examination–Range DIG has been directed to enquire into the matter. Since Range DIG Central Western Range and the District Commissioner and District Superintendent of Police of Nalbari are all women, the factual position would be known in quick time for further action,” the Assam DGP said in a post on X.

“It may also be mentioned that an FIR has been registered at North Lakhimpur PS today where cheating material papers were seized hidden inside a woman candidate’s undergarments,” he added.

On Sunday, Assam CM Sarma expressed his gratitude to all members of Team Assam for their hard work for the successful conduct of the first Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE).