Exam suspended over question leak allegation: job seekers block roads, demand director general’s resignation
Photo: Collected
Angry examinees staged protests at various centres in the capital at the news that the recruitment examination for the post of assistant upazila youth development officer of the Department of Youth Development had been suspended. They had come to the capital from different corners of the country after preparing, but the examination was suspended just before it was to start over an allegation of question paper leak. Blocking roads, the job seekers raised three demands – a fair investigation into the question leak allegation, punishment of those involved and the resignation of the department’s director general.
On visiting the Motijheel Girls’ High School, Bank Colony High School, Boys’ High School and Bangla College centres in the capital at around 11am on Saturday, examinees were seen protesting. They also brought out protest processions, blocking roads at various places.
The protesting examinees said the question paper leak allegation must be investigated fairly and action taken against those involved. Because of the suspension of the examination, they have faced financial loss as well as harassment. Many could not sit the examination even after coming to Dhaka from far-flung areas. The authorities concerned must take responsibility for this.
They further said the very capacity of the authorities to hold a recruitment examination has come into question. They had to endure extreme suffering as the examination was suspended over the question leak allegation.
The protesters demanded that the question leak allegation be investigated quickly and impartially, and that those involved be identified and brought to punishment. They also warned of going for a tougher movement if speedy justice is not ensured.
Police said there is currently no untoward situation in front of the Bank Colony High School centre in Motijheel.
Motijheel Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Md Billal said the examinees gathered at the Bank Colony High School centre at around 10:30am. Although the examination was supposed to be held at 11am, it did not take place. When the authorities later informed them that the examination would not be held, the examinees stayed there for a while and then left for the Shapla Chattar area, taking others with them.
He said there is no problem in front of Bank Colony High School now; the examinees are staying in the Shapla Chattar area. No vehicle vandalism or untoward incident took place in this incident, and the situation is calm.
The recruitment examination for the post of assistant upazila youth development officer (11th grade) of the Department of Youth Development was supposed to be held at 11am. More than three lakh candidates from across the country were supposed to take part in it against 242 posts. For that, preparations were also made to hold the examination at about 100 centres in the capital. But a few hours before the examination was to start, an allegation arose that pictures of the question paper had spread on social media. In view of that, the Department of Youth Development suspended the recruitment examination.
