West Khasi Hills probes recruitment fraud at Nongstoin hospital

Shillong: A two-member inquiry committee is investigating claims of bribery, coercion, and extortion during the recent Staff Nurse recruitment at MCH Hospital in Nongstoin. West Khasi Hills district officials froze the selection process after a disruptive incident on September 29. No results will drop until investigators finish their work.

Superintendent of Police H Kharkongor and Assistant Commissioner E Lyngdoh lead the probe. They want to hear from any of the 60 candidates who faced demands for cash or attempts to rig the selection. The administration demands hard proof. "The committee has also asked candidates to provide supporting material, where available, including audio or video recordings, message logs and details of financial transactions."

The trouble started on September 21 following a written test at Nongstoin College. Interviews followed on September 29 and 30. During the first day of interviews, a local MDC barged into the room, shouted at board members, and forced a halt to the proceedings. The district administration later received a formal complaint from the VPP State Youth Wing, triggering this official inquiry.

Candidates can present statements and evidence at Room No. 108 in the Office of the Deputy Commissioner. The committee accepts walk-ins from October 5 to 9, between 10 am and 4 pm. Officials promise total anonymity for anyone coming forward to report middlemen or influence peddling. They insist the hiring process should rely solely on merit and warned the public to ignore anyone claiming to have power over the outcome.