HSC exam: Public force their way to campus

CUTTACK: The State Government’s instructions to the SPs to extend total security and assistance for ensuring smooth conduct of the matriculation re-examinations seems to have fallen in deaf ears.  The Joranda High School was a picture of blatant defiance of the Government orders on Tuesday as absence of police security at the centre led to a free for all situation in the campus. As examination commenced on Tuesday morning, public including guardians of the students appearing in the examinations forced their way into the school campus and  freely supplied copy materials to their wards.  The inspection squad of the Board of Secondary Education (BSE) arrived at the scene to the horror of chaotic situation. The Squad members made frantic calls to the SP Dhenkanal to rush in police security for freeing the campus of the undesirable elements but the district police head allegedly did not respond to the calls.   An SOS was then sent to Secretary School and Mass Education, who then, informed the Dhenkanal Collector of the situation. Only after the ADM was rushed to the spot did a police team arrive. The area was cleared and the squad has seized substantial quantity of incriminating material from the Centre. Action would be taken on the report of the squad, BSE authorities said on Tuesday.  Meanwhile, as many as 1069 students were booked for malpractice at different centres in the State on the first day of the re-examinations. Mass copying were reported from several centres, mainly in the districts of Jajpur, Jagatpur, Dhenkanal and Bhadrak.  At Ratnagiri High School centre of Jajpur district more than 70 students were caught cheating by the squad and booked while the Bhadrak Circle Inspector booked as many as 60 students from one centre.  The inspections and surprise checking will be intensified to curb the unfair practices, BSE president Satyakam Mishra said.