Viral video of alleged cheating: Cachar Administration suspends two teachers, lodges FIR; Headmaster says “malicious conspiracy”

The Cachar Administration has suspended teachers Anwarul Haque Barbhuiya for allegedly helping his daughter cheat inside the exam hall and Bikash Purkayastha for keeping mobile phone with him during invigilation at the centre. The examination of Anwarul Haque’s daughter has also been cancelled.

Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Rohan Kumar Jha informed through DDIPR Barak Valley Region that an FIR has been lodged against Anwarul Haque Barbhuiya by the Center in charge for allegedly using illegal means. He was discharging his duty at Nena Mia Higher Secondary School for HSLC while his daughter was appearing for HSSLC. The center in charge has been issued a show cause notice by the Inspector of Schools as to why he did not report the incident yesterday.

It is worth mentioning here that a controversial video of Higher Secondary Examination at Banskandi Nena Mia HS School examination centre in Cachar has surfaced, raising questions about the security arrangements in examination centres. The video recorded yesterday when Higher Secondary Advanced Language Examination was scheduled, shows an on-duty teacher named Anwarul Haque Barbhuiya providing answers to his daughter inside the examination centre’s “sick room”. The video, which was captured on a mobile phone by another teacher – Bikash Purkayastha, has since gone viral on social media and has sparked a lot of outrage.

The principal of Banskandi Nena Mia Higher Secondary School, Saleh Ahmed, denied the allegations of helping any candidate inside the exam hall and claimed that it was a conspiracy by the teacher named Bikash Purkayastha. Speaking to reporters he said, “Anwarul Haque Barbhuiya’s daughter was writing her paper in the sick room as she underwent a major operation few days back. In a pre-planned manner, Bikash told Anwarul that her daughter was feeling unwell and asked him to enquire about her health. Accordingly, Anwarul went to the sick room to look after his daughter and that is when Bikash recorded the video and spread it on social media with a different angle altogether. It was done by Bikash due to a personal grudge.”

On being asked about the personal grudge, the Principal replied, “Bikash Purkayastha being a teacher of our school doesn’t attend the school regularly. He comes once in a month and gives his attendance. Local public and School committee have also protested against his irregularities.”