20 aspiring cops defy flood to reach exam centre in Gadchiroli | India News

NAGPUR: An SOS message reached the police headquarters in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli Saturday from 20 candidates, including women, who were left stranded by flooded rivers in Bhamragarh taluka near the Maoist stronghold of Abujmarh along the Chhattisgarh border. They were 150km from Gadchiroli town, where they were to appear for a police recruitment written exam Sunday.
Recognising the risk the youths had taken to appear for the exam despite Maoist death threats and floods, senior police officers took action to ensure their safe arrival. Boats were dispatched to ferry the candidates to Etapalli, where they were provided food and lodging for the night. The following morning, they were transported to Gadchiroli in time for their exam.
Their journey was particularly challenging as around 40 key roads in Gadchiroli were closed due to submerged bridges caused by overflowing rivers and nullahs. Parlakota river had isolated Bhamragarh from the rest of the district, compounded by incessant rain.
In Maoist-affected Gadchiroli, especially in areas near Abujmarh, aspiring to join the police force can be life-threatening.
Police made extraordinary efforts to assist the candidates who had already passed the physical test. They had travelled from remote villages – earlier known as Maoist strongholds such as Kukametta, Hinbhatti, Zareguda Laheri, and Pengunda. They crossed flooded rivers and forded streams.
Gadchiroli SP Neelotpal intervened personally, mobilising district administration and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) resources for the rescue. “We activated Bhamragarh police units in addition to the district administration’s disaster management teams and SDRF. Rescue boats, equipped with life jackets, were arranged to help the candidates cross the flooded rivers,” he said.
The SP also ensured that three candidates from Kumbhi village also reached the exam centre after receiving assistance to cross the flooded Kumbhi nullah. The efforts resulted in a 99% attendance for the recruitment drive.