Running tests for police recruitment now only in the evening

Terming as "unfortunate" the death of four candidates who succumbed after suffering heatstrokes during a police recruitment drive here, Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria today said the Crime Branch would conduct a probe into these incidents.
Asked by reporters who should be held responsible for these deaths, Maria said as whenever the Mumbai police perform well he gets the credit, so he himself takes the responsibility in these cases too.
"We have now decided not to conduct the 5-km running test in the morning. The test would be conducted in the evening," he said.
While four candidates died in Mumbai, one died in neighbouring Thane district.

The victims had passed out during the running test which was conducted in the morning.
"The outdoor tests (running tests) were scheduled to get over by June 21. Since we are going to conduct the test now only in the evening, the drive would continue till June 28 in the city. The written test has been postponed to July 13," said Maria.

Talking about what may have caused the deaths, Maria said that not all candidates who turn up for the recruitment drive are fit, yet they take the physically demanding test.
Some candidates, coming from poor families, turn up even when they are sick, he noted.

Over one lakh candidates have applied for 2,600 posts of police constables in Mumbai.