A tragic incident unfolded on Thursday during a Home Guard recruitment physical examination in Odisha’s Gajapati district, claiming the life of a candidate and hospitalising seven others.
The deceased has been identified as Sulant Mishal, a resident of Parisal village, near Ramgiri police station. According to eyewitness accounts, Sulant collapsed just 30 seconds before completing the running test, part of the mandatory physical evaluation held between Ranipenth and Padmapur on a 2 km stretch.
“Five of us from our village had participated in the physical test for the home guard. After the women’s test was done, male aspirants began. He was nearly done when he suddenly collapsed,” a relative recounted.
Sulant was immediately rushed to the Paralakhemundi District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) by ambulance, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Alongside Sulant, seven other candidates also collapsed during the running test. All were quickly shifted to the main hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. As of now, their condition is serious, hospital authorities confirmed.
Medical personnel responded swiftly, but questions are being raised about the adequacy of on-site medical preparedness, given the intense nature of the physical test and the rising heat index across Odisha.
Local police and administrative officials have begun a formal investigation to determine whether extreme weather, dehydration, inadequate medical support, or pre-existing health conditions played a role in the collapse of multiple candidates.
This tragic event has sparked concern among aspirants and the public about safety protocols during recruitment drives, especially those involving physically demanding tests.
Authorities are expected to release a detailed report following the investigation. Meanwhile, Sulant Mishal’s untimely death has cast a shadow over the recruitment process, prompting demands for better safeguards and medical supervision during such high-stakes physical examinations.
