Guwahati

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has ordered an investigation into allegations that a lady constable searched a girl student’s private parts before she entered an Assam Direct Recruitment Examination (ADRE) hall in Nalbari. The incident occurred during the exam, which saw over 11.23 lakh students participating.

The Chief Minister also noted another troubling report from North Lakhimpur, where cheating materials were found in a student’s inner garments on the same day. In a statement on X, Sarma stressed the importance of upholding both the integrity of the exam and the dignity of female candidates. He emphasized that the investigation must ensure such incidents do not compromise the respect and dignity of women.

Sarma called for strict procedural guidelines and the development of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for searches involving women, based on court rulings and Women’s Commission guidelines. The Chief Minister assured that the ADRE will be conducted with full transparency and integrity.

DGP GP Singh confirmed that the police have started investigating the Nalbari incident, with the Range DIG tasked with the inquiry. An FIR has also been filed in North Lakhimpur regarding the cheating materials. Sarma expressed gratitude to the Assam Government’s team for their efforts in conducting the exam and reiterated the commitment to transparency in recruitment processes.