Guwahati: With the Gauhati High Court refusing to stay the state government’s order, internet services would remain suspended in 24 out of 35 districts of Assam on during the examination to be held on Sunday for recruitment of class IV employees in different departments.
While dismissing a writ petition, Justice Suman Shyam observed that the petitioner had failed to make a prima facie case in the matter. The petition was filed by social activist Raju Prasad Sarma.
Officials had contended that the decision to suspend Internet was necessitated to ensure free and fair examination, given the history of question papers getting leaked through WhatsApp or social media.
The Internet services are to be blocked from 10am to 12pm and from 2pm to 4pm tomorrow (August 28). The State government has already clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in the districts, where the examinations will be held.
Earlier, the police had detained the principal of Cachar College in Silchar for his alleged negligence of duty in conducting the examination. The Deputy Commissioner of Cachar district had filed an FIR at the Silchar Police Station this morning against the principal, Siddhartha Sankar Nath, after visiting the institution.
More than 14.30 lakh candidates are expected to appear for nearly 30,000 Grade III and IV posts, with the examinations scheduled for August 21, 28, and September 11.
While the Grade-IV examinations took place on last Sunday in two shifts, tests for Grade-III posts will be held on rest of the dates. The Board of Secondary Education, Assam (SEBA) is conducting all the examination.
All the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have already intimated about likely schedule for suspension of the Internet in their respective areas. “Dear customers, as per government directive, mobile internet services are being temporarily stopped in your area between 10 am to 12 pm and between 2 pm to 4 pm,” read an Airtel SMS to its subscribers.
On August 17, State Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said internet services would be suspended during the examination hours to avoid possible malpractices during the recruitment process.
