Taking NEET–I barefoot, with cut up shirts, sans jewelry

Chaos at pre–medical exam centres in Assam

DRESS CODE

*    Light clothes with half sleeves not having big buttons, brooch/ badge, flower etc

*   Slippers and not shoes

*    Strict checking of orments, including rings, earrings, nose pins, chain–necklaces, pendants

WHY SO STRICT?

*    The measures have been taken after the AIPMT exam last year was cancelled following allegations of irregularities and re–conducted later.

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 1: As students across the country appeared for the All India Pre–Medical Test (AIPMT) following Supreme Court directives, chaos erupted at some examition centres in Guwahati, with candidates even engaging in scuffles with security personnel over enforcement of dress code imposed by the Central Board of Secondary Education for the examition.

Scuffle between candidates and security personnel were reported at the Hindustani Kendriya Vidyalaya centre at Bhangagarh and NPS at Lakhara.

The time fixed for entry into the examition centres was between 7.30 am to 9.30 am. Candidates who arrived late either tried to force their way in or were prevented by the security personnel from entering, leading to confrontations.

A candidate from Barpeta – Anisur Rehman – was also manhandled by security personnel when he tried to climb over the closed gate of Hindustani Kendriya Vidyalaya after arriving a few minutes late. A girl from Jorhat also engaged in a duel with the man guarding the centre, leading to commotion at the premises.

There was also turmoil over the dress code fixed by the board for candidates.

According to the guidelines, the candidates had to wear “light clothes with half sleeves not having big buttons, brooch/badge, flower etc”. The candidates were not allowed to wear shoes. The board had also directed careful checking of orments like rings, earrings, nose studs, chain–necklaces, pendants, etc.

The measures have been taken after the AIPMT exam last year was cancelled following allegations of irregularities and re–conducted later.

CBSE invigilators present at the centres reportedly removed earrings, nose studs and other jewelry worn by candidates, besides taking out scissors to cut full–sleeve shirts to half–sleeve at the elbow. Candidates wearing shoes had to enter the centres barefooted, while some even appeared wearing vests.

CBSE authorities said the guidelines framed by the CBSE clearly specify the dress code. “The candidates were directed to fill–up examition forms only after going through the guidelines. We have to enforce the guidelines and cannot allow any violation,” said an invigilator, adding the board had widely publicized the guidelines.

Strict dress code and rigorous checking of candidates were directed by the CBSE to curb malpractices. Three to four invigilators were deployed in each centre.

The Supreme Court yesterday had refused re–look at its order directing the holding of tiol Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to 3,500 MBBS and BDS seats for 2016–17 in two phases on May 1 and July 24.

Till last year, there was no common pre–medical test in the country.

Dibrugarh University had been conducting the pre–medical test for the MBBS and BDS courses in Assam.

Meanwhile, AASU president Dipanka Kumar th said the apex court ruling has created utter confusion among the candidates and their guardians.

“The change in syllabus – from the State board to CBSE – and the medium of examition – which is English and Hindi now – is bound to affect State students. Under no circumstances, should interests of the State students be harmed. Their futures have to be protected and both the State and Central government must work on it,” he said.