One dead, seven hospitalised during home guard physical test in Odisha’s Gajapati

Bhubaneswar, May 29: In a tragic incident, a youth died and seven others were hospitalised after collapsing during a physical test for Home Guard recruitment in Paralakhemundi, Gajapati district on Thursday.

The deceased has been identified as Sulant Mishal, a resident of Parisal village under Ramgiri police limits. According to sources, Mishal collapsed just 30 seconds before completing a mandatory 2-kilometre run between Ranipenth and Padmapur. He was immediately shifted to the district headquarters hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead.

As part of the recruitment criteria, candidates were required to complete the 2-km run within 10 minutes. Unfortunately, several candidates struggled due to extreme fatigue and physical stress.

Seven other aspirants also fell unconscious during the test and were admitted to the same hospital. While their condition is reported to be stable, all of them displayed swelling in their lower limbs—likely due to muscle exhaustion.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the death and announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh to the deceased’s family. The government has ordered a probe into the incident and temporarily halted further recruitment activities.