Matric question viral on social media: Five arrested, 11 suspended for lapses

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Odia question paper of Matric examinations went viral on social media, as many as five teachers were arrested while the total number of suspensions in connection with the lapses has gone up to 11.

According to sources, the Boden Police today arrested five teachers including two centre superintendents and three invigilators of Karangamal and Gopinath High Schools in Nuapada district following a complaint by the block education officer.

Apart from the five arrested, six teachers have been booked in connection with the incident. All these teachers have been suspended.

BSE exam controller Nihar Ranjan Mohanty informed that four students who were also reportedly involved in the incident have been debarred from appearing the examinations.

It is pertinent to mention that after the commencement of the Matriculation examination across Odisha on Friday, question papers of MIL-Odia subject were found circulating on social media. Within a few hours a slew of incidents were reported from Nuapada, Dhenkanal, Koraput and Jagatsinghpur districts.

However, the exact circumstances under which the exam question papers were uploaded on social media and the masterminds behind the incidents are yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, concerns are being flagged over the safety and security of question papers with the next examination scheduled to be held on February 25.

Coincidentally, last year on February 26, the photographs of first language (MIL) subject were also circulated in WhatsApp messaging app while the examination was underway.