A heartbreaking incident occurred in Gajapati, Odisha, where Sulanta Mishal tragically passed away during a physical examination for the Home Guard recruitment.
Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and has announced a compassionate assistance of Rs 4 lakh from the CM Relief Fund for the deceased’s family.
ଗଜପତିରେ ହୋମ ଗାର୍ଡ ପଦବୀରେ ନିଯୁକ୍ତି ପାଇଁ ଶାରୀରିକ ପରୀକ୍ଷା ଚାଲିଥିବା ସମୟରେ ସୁଲନ୍ତ ମିଶାଲଙ୍କ ଦେହାନ୍ତ ହୋଇଛି। ଏହି ଘଟଣାରେ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଗଭୀର ଦୁଃଖ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା ସହ ମୃତକଙ୍କ ନିକଟତମ ଆତ୍ମୀୟଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ରିଲିଫ୍ ପାଣ୍ଠିରୁ ୪ ଲକ୍ଷ ଟଙ୍କାର ଅନୁକମ୍ପାମୂଳକ ସହାୟତା ରାଶି ଘୋଷଣା…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) May 29, 2025
The sudden demise during the rigorous fitness test has left the community in shock.
Sulant Mishal was a resident of Parisal village, near the Ramgiri police station. According to eyewitnesses, Sulant collapsed just 30 seconds before completing the running test, which was part of the mandatory physical evaluation held on a 2 km stretch between Ranipenth and Padmapur.
He was immediately taken to the Paralakhemundi District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) by ambulance, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
In addition to Sulant, seven other candidates also collapsed during the running test. They were swiftly transported to the main hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. Hospital authorities have confirmed that their conditions are serious.
Medical personnel responded quickly, but questions are being raised about the adequacy of on-site medical preparedness, especially given the intense nature of the physical test and the rising heat index across Odisha.
Local police and administrative officials have initiated a formal investigation to determine whether extreme weather, dehydration, inadequate medical support, or pre-existing health conditions contributed to the collapse of multiple candidates.
This tragic event has raised concerns among both aspirants and the public regarding safety protocols during recruitment drives, particularly those that involve physically demanding tests.
Authorities are expected to release a detailed report following the investigation. Meanwhile, the untimely death of Sulant Mishal has cast a shadow over the recruitment process, prompting calls for improved safeguards and better medical supervision during such high-stakes physical examinations.
