Nalbari Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kusum Kumar Basumatary has been transferred amid an ongoing inquiry into allegations that a NEET aspirant was asked to remove his sacred thread during frisking at an examination centre in Nalbari. An official order has posted Basumatary, who was serving as DSP (Security and Intelligence) in Nalbari, to the 21st Assam Police Battalion (APBn) at Katlicherra in Hailakandi district. The transfer comes at a time when both the district administration and police are investigating the incident that drew widespread public attention across Assam. The controversy arose during the NEET re-test conducted on June 21. A Brahmin student alleged that he was compelled to remove his sacred thread, considered an important religious symbol, before being allowed to enter the examination venue.
Following the allegation, the Nalbari district administration initiated a magisterial inquiry. During the investigation, the student reportedly identified the police personnel involved in the frisking process. Based on preliminary findings, Havildar Paban Kalita of Belsor Police Station was placed under reserve close. Nalbari District Commissioner Nibedan Das Patowary said there was no valid reason for asking the candidate to remove his sacred thread during security checks. He stated that the student and his parents were heard during the inquiry and that the personnel identified by the candidate later apologised. According to officials, the student was allegedly instructed by on-duty personnel to remove the sacred thread and hand it over to his mother before entering the examination hall. Authorities clarified that neither the National Testing Agency (NTA), the district administration nor the police had issued any guideline requiring candidates to remove sacred threads during frisking.
Nalbari Superintendent of Police Bibekananda Das had earlier ordered a separate departmental inquiry to be conducted by an IPS officer into the conduct of the police personnel involved. He said departmental proceedings would be initiated based on the findings of the investigation. The student’s mother, Runumi Bhagawati, said the family had already replaced the sacred thread before the examination and removed a metallic ring attached to it in compliance with examination rules prohibiting metallic objects.
