Gujarat police step up security for NEET retest; IGP appointed as nodal officer

GANDHINAGAR: Deployment of police personnel at the examination venues, strict surveillance of nearby photocopy centres, and social media monitoring are some of the steps that the Gujarat police will undertake to ensure safe and smooth conduct of the NEET (UG) retest scheduled on June 21, officials said.

Gujarat Director General of Police (DGP) GS Malik on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The DGP chaired a state-wide meeting of officials via video conference, which was attended by all Police Commissioners, Range Inspectors General, and Superintendents of Police, an official release said.

During the meeting, it was announced that Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) Makrand Chauhan has been appointed as the state nodal officer for NEET-related law and order arrangements. Police personnel will be deployed at the examination centres in accordance with the number of candidates, the release said.

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The DGP directed authorities to maintain strict surveillance on the photocopy centres located near the examination venues, and ensure full compliance with National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines. He also instructed a thorough but sensitive frisking of candidates.

"Police units were instructed to conduct a thorough yet sensitive frisking of candidates, particularly female students, while ensuring courteous treatment of parents and guardians," the release said.

Separate arrangements were ordered for the safe deposit of mobile phones, smart watches and other prohibited electronic devices at examination centres. To prevent any malpractices, all unit heads have been directed to jointly inspect examination centres with the NTA representatives on June 20, it added.

Intensive night patrolling will be carried out between June 19 and 21 considering the confidential movement of examination materials across the state, the release said. Social media monitoring has also been intensified to counter rumours, misinformation and any attempts to disrupt the examination process, officials said.

As June 21 coincides with International Yoga Day, the DGP instructed police units to deploy separate manpower for the Yoga Day programmes and examination duties to avoid any disruption to NEET candidates. NEET (UG) held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of paper leak and other irregularities, and a re-examination on June 21 was announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Lakhs of students across the country will have to reappear for the NEET exam. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is currently probing the NEET paper leak case, has so far arrested 13 five persons.

The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch last week arrested three persons from Rajasthan and Bihar for their alleged involvement in fraud and running scams related to the NEET exam.