Aspirants await their turn for a medical test during a recruitment drive in Ludhiana on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Himanshu Mahajan

Shivani Bhakoo & Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, February 21

On the second day of the recruitment rally for 14 vacancies in Territorial Army here today, syringes and other objectionable material, including empty bottles of cough syrup, was found from the bags of several candidates.Army officials said the material was obtained not only from the candidates of Punjab, but also from Haryana and Delhi. Col NK Sharma, under whose guidance the recruitment process is being held, said the candidates’ bags were checked on both days randomly.“We found used and unused syringes and empty bottles from their bags. This shows that to enhance the performance the candidates must have consumed drugs. We did not let them go for any physical or other test and they were immediately sent back,” said Col Sharma.On being asked the number of such candidates, Col Sharma said the bags were randomly checked by Army personnel at different points and they did not maintain any record.“We are also conducting dope test of candidates, who have scored well in physical tests. Each testing kit costs around Rs 250 and is used on one person only. It is not viable to conduct dope test on each and every candidate. But those selected and have scored well are being minutely watched,” said Col Sharma.Most of the participating candidates are from rural background from states of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The rally will conclude on February 28.At least 6,000 candidates are expected to take part for 14 vacancies of Territorial Army.