Gaibandha, Jan 10 (V7N) — A total of 51 candidates, including 17 women, were detained by police in Gaibandha district on Friday for allegedly attempting to cheat and carrying illegal electronic devices during the primary school assistant teacher recruitment exam. Authorities seized 47 digital devices, including mobile phones and ATM cards, and recovered advanced Bluetooth earpieces from four candidates’ ears.

The arrests took place between 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm across multiple exam centers in Gaibandha Sadar and Palashbari upazilas. Specifically, 37 candidates were apprehended from 37 centers in Sadar, 12 candidates from four centers in Palashbari, and 2 candidates from two centers in Fulchhari.

Among the Sadar center arrests, two candidates were from Ahmed Uddin Shah Shishu Niketan School and College, four from the Government College center, three (including a female candidate) from Gaibandha Siddiqia Kamil Madrasa, one from Chapadah BL High School, 13 from Kuptala Abdul Qayum High School, one from Laxmipur School and College, and 14 from other centers.

The four candidates found with Bluetooth devices had them removed at Gaibandha Sadar Hospital under medical supervision.

Confirming the operation, Gaibandha Additional Superintendent of Police Sheikh Muttazul Islam stated: “A total of 51 candidates were detained from different exam centers for attempting unfair means and carrying prohibited electronic devices. We recovered 47 digital devices and mobile phones during the process. All detainees are in police custody, and legal action is underway.”

He added that strict security measures were enforced to ensure a fair and cheat-free exam. Police, law enforcement personnel, and executive magistrates were deployed at each center, and Section 144 of the Penal Code was imposed in the surrounding areas. Candidates were thoroughly checked upon entry, and any violations were acted upon immediately.

According to the Gaibandha District Primary Education Office, over 27,688 candidates were scheduled to appear for the recruitment exam, which had more than 400 vacancies across seven upazilas. Of these, 22,197 candidates attended, while 5,531 were absent. A total of 43 centers were operational in Gaibandha Sadar and Palashbari to conduct the exam.

Authorities emphasized that such operations aim to maintain transparency, integrity, and fairness in the recruitment process, ensuring that eligible candidates are selected without compromise.

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