By IANS,
Hyderabad : The written examination for recruitment of police sub-inspectors began Saturday near here and in Karimnagar town amid massive security in view of the threats by pro-Telangana groups to disrupt it, officials said.
Over 4,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed at BHEL township near Hyderabad, where the test is being conducted at six centres. Tight security has also been made at Karimnagar, also in Telangana region.
Police have sealed all roads leading to the BHEL township. Even residents have to show identity proof before being allowed to enter.
The examination is also being conducted at Visakhapatnam, Eluru, Guntur and Kurnool for filling the posts in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. Officials said the test would be held in two sessions Saturday and Sunday.
Meeting a long-pending demand of groups fighting for separate statehood to Telangana, President Pratibha Patil Friday deleted clause 14(f) from the presidential order making Hyderabad a free zone for recruitment to government departments.
Now, Hyderabad is no longer a free zone for jobs and almost all posts will be filled with local candidates.
With the deletion of the controversial clause, the authorities heaved a sigh of relief but they are not taking any chances as Telangana groups have demanded the postponement of the test for a month so that candidates from the region can prepare for it.
The central government’s move averted a showdown as political and non-political groups from Telangana had warned of serious consequences if the test was held without deleting the clause.
The government had maintained that clause 14(f) had nothing to do with the conduct of the test as no posts in Hyderabad are being filled this time.
The notification for the exam was issued two years ago but the protests by Telangana groups had forced the government to repeatedly postpone it.
According to Andhra Pradesh State Level Police Recruitment Board (APSLPRB) Chairman M. Malakondaiah, around 18,000 candidates are taking the test to fill 1,293 posts.
He has warned criminal action against those disrupting the examination.
Meanwhile, at Eluru exam centre, authorities debarred a constable for copying during the exam.