Mobile internet services will remain suspended across several parts of Rajasthan on Sunday during the police constable recruitment examination. The test is being held at 664 centres across 78 cities and towns in the state in two shifts – from 10 am to 12 noon, and 3 pm to 5 pm. Mobile internet was also suspended on Saturday, the first day of the test, to ensure there was no cheating.
The recruitment examination was cancelled in March, when it was held online for the first time, after a Special Operations Group busted a ‘hi-tech real-time cheating racket’. The district superintendents of police were reportedly instructed to take a call on banning internet services to conduct fair examinations this time.
On Saturday, arrangements were made for around 7.5 lakh applicants to take the test across the state. However, only 70% appeared, Director General of Police OP Galhotra said, according to The Indian Express. A total of 15,13,137 candidates have applied for 13,142 vacancies.
Congress state president Sachin Pilot said suspending internet for two days “shows a mirror to BJP government’s Digital India campaign”. “The government failed to catch those indulging in cheating and hence it decided to cause inconvenience to citizens of the entire state by banning internet,” he said.
Additional Inspector General Rajeev Sharma said strict action will be taken against those who try to cheat in the exams. “We are keeping an eye on anti-social elements,” PTI quoted him as saying.
The police department also enforced a dress code for the exams. Candidates were asked to take off their shoes outside the exam centres, and those wearing full-sleeved shirts had to switch to half-sleeved ones, reported PTI.
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