Dispur admits bribery in cop recruitment

'Appointment of AB constables cancelled in gaon, Barpeta and Dhubri, process to start afresh'

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 11: The State Home department on Tuesday admitted in the Assembly that anomalies did take place during the recruitment of Armed Branch (AB) constables for the Assam police in the three districts of gaon, Barpeta and Dhubri.

Replying to a question raised by BJP legislator Ranjit Das on the government’s move in cancelling the appointment process in Dhubri, Barpeta and gaon districts, Forest and Rural Development Minister Rockybul Hussain replying on behalf of Chief Minister and Home Minister Tarun Gogoi, said that the anomalies took place at lower official levels with the involvement of some middlemen. “The matter is being investigated, for which reason the appointment process has been called off in these three districts. The selection process will begin anew,” the minister said.

Earlier, Das had raised the question as to why the process had been cancelled the three districts while it is under way in other districts of the State.

Hussain further informed that when the matter came to light during a probe by the Vigilance & Anti-Corruption branch, the matter was investigated further by Home Secretary SS Mikshi Sundaram and Commissioner of North Assam BR Salam, in the course of which it was learnt that some low-ranking insiders and middlemen had teamed up to form a racket, taking money from candidates by assuring them of selection as constables. He also pointed out that some lower ranking officials took bribes from candidates in 4th APTF battalion office as well.

Hussain added that the police has arrested some people including police personnel from the districts of Barpeta, gaon, Dhubri, Hailakandi, North Lakhimpur, Silchar and Golaghat in this connection.

However, cornering the government over the anomalies, Ranjit Das said, “Nowadays, if middlemen and constables can bring the system of the State Home department to a point of collapse, then does it stand any chance against determined militants?”. Saying so, the BJP legislator walked out of the House.