Longkumba Ao
In the wake of the recent protest that marred the recruitment rally for ABSI to 14 NAP (IR) Battalion, as an aspirant to the post of ABSI I would like to pen down certain anomalies and favoritism witnessed in the recently concluded rally and written test.
Real events and hearsays churned with jokes are popular stories in Police recruitments – and I am a witness to a few of these episodes which I may be permitted to put them into words. It went on like this…….Day 1 ended with high jumps and long jumps. All got on smoothly possibly because of the timely intervention of several Students’ Organization the previous day. On Day 2, the 3 km rally for 15 min. began in the morning with the start line. Half way through the run, few runners along with their Chest Numbers were switched by others who sprang from nowhere. It was quite apparent that they were hiding by the corners of houses by the runway, and waiting for the signal. Panting, I gathered enough stamina to race by the side of the newcomers – a broad smile they had but felt rather like a grin that reminded me of a popular phrase – “Catch me if you can”! Again with engines roaring, a few others were dropped half way through by motorbikes making prompt switches. Unfortunately, an unlucky one was caught in the finish line when his identity was revealed and found to be the face of a newcomer in line! I overheard the officer in-charge interrogating the stranger to reveal his true identity lest he would end up behind bars. Surely, he wasn’t as clever as his other fellow mates who with all coordination from relatives and friends accurately timed the switches half way before the finish.
With the culmination of the test of strength and endurance, Day 3 was a real run test for ‘storehouse of knowledge’, Intelligence Quotient and ingenuity! Please bear to lend your ears once again. All candidates were moved to two halls- Hall 1 & 2. While entering the examination, to my disbelief and utter dismay the three candidates nearing my Chest Numbers, and who managed to pass through the physical test were nowhere in sight! Instead, fresh comers bearing their Chest Numbers made it to the desk to replace them. No verification was made by the Invigilators, neither were we asked to place our Admit Cards before them. Oh! Not again! But once again, Hall No. 2 in which I was in was rather a reminder of a fish market than an examination hall. It pained me to see how the Police Officers on exam duty with dignified heads held up high were making things quite easy for a few. It now seemed obvious to me that their moves were all preplanned, hinting that they had already struck a deal with them previous to the commencement of both the physical and written examination. The Invigilators on duty instead of maintaining complete silence during examination hours and checking all unfairness joined in to assist several of the candidates in making the correct choices in the question papers. The entire conduct inside the examination hall was a total discouragement for me to write any further, nevertheless, I found the strength to come to the finish line once again.
Talk of discipline, dignity, bravery, patriotism, intelligence, spirit of competence, will and endurance in all circumstances in the Police Forces, to meet these criteria such recruitments must be executed in all fairness. Over and above, bribery, nepotism, ‘backdoor appointments’ are uncouth and improper means to recruitment and must be checked at every stage at all cost. Similar scandals to what the NPSC previously underwent may be exposed in such manner of appointment if only the Naga Students Federation intervenes in the interest of the future aspiring candidates.
