• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Sat, 31 Aug 2024 12:05 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Jharkhand Recruitment Exam Deaths: A day after 25 aspirants fainted during the physical round of a constable recruitment examination in Jharkhand's Palamu district and were subsequently hospitalised, police on Friday said the death toll from the incident had reached three.

While two candidates succumbed during treatment at Medinirai Medical College and Hospital in Medininagar, one died at RIMS, Ranchi, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Manibhushan Prasad told news agency PTI.

Preliminary findings suggest they died of breathlessness, the Superintendent of the hospital, Dr RK Ranjan, said, adding that they "suspect use of sedatives to increase stamina". "We are examining the exact cause of the deaths," he was quoted as saying by PTI. The deceased have been identified as Amresh Kumar (20), Arun Kumar (25) and Pradip Kumar (25).

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Around 100 of the candidates who took part in the physical test, which involves running, have fainted so far, police said. The test was part of the recruitment of constables for the excise department, the police informed. According to officials, the recruitment process is slated to last till September 9.

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In light of the mass faintings, the authorities have decided to begin the conduct of the physical test at 04:30 am, PTI said in its report. Previously, the timing was from 9 am. Moreover, officials have been instructed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren to take immediate cognisance of the matter.

(With inputs from agencies)