Raring to go

Ranchi, March 25: Using employment as a tool to woo away youths from the influence of Maoist rebels, Jharkhand Police today advertised 6,796 vacancies for the job of constables, hoping to recruit candidates proficient in local languages.

To make it easy to apply, arrangements have been made to let prospective candidates drop completed application forms in select post-offices in rebel strongholds.

The post-offices where applications can be submitted include the ones in Ghurabandha, Dumaria, Patamda, Chakulia, Potka, Musabani and Baharagora in West Singhbhum, Bundu, Tamar, Rahe, Angara, Lapung, Bero, Sonahatu, Sikidiri, Burhmu, Chanho and Mcluskieganj in Ranchi district, Tundi in Dhanbad district and Nawadih, Gomia, Mahuatand and Kasmar in Bokaro district.

The aspirants could also submit their applications with the superintendents of police and at the office of the commandant of Jharkhand Armed Police in Doranda.

Speaking about the drive, home secretary J.B. Tubid said the government would soon advertise 10,000 more vacancies. Knowledge of tribal and regional languages have been made mandatory under the newly framed Constable Recruitment Rule, 2009.

The aspirants will have to have working knowledge of one or more of the following tribal languages, Mundari, Kurukh, Kharia, Asur, Birhor, Ho, Bhumij, Santhali and Malto and regional languages like Nagpuri, Panchpargania, Kurmali, Bangla, Magahi, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Khortha and Angika.

The minimum qualification is Class VII pass from any state government recognised school. A physical test will follow the written examination in Hindi and any one of the tribal and regional languages.

SPs have been specially instructed to ensure recruitment of candidates from primitive tribes like Birhor, Paharia, Asur, Malpaharia and Soriyapaharia, among others.

To pacify agitating home guards, 50 per cent of the vacancies have been reserved for trained home guards who have served at least six months. If that many home guards do not come forward, the vacancies would be thrown open for normal aspirants.