Thiruvananthapuram: Three rank holders who passed the PSC test for recruitment of IRB commandos had the city in a state of frenzy after they attempted to jump off the terrace of Statue towers on Thursday.
Even after being listed for around 4 years, the 577 candidates never got their orders for recruitment. After their three-day strike in front of the Secretariat was ignored by politicians and the media, the candidates staged the daredevil act to draw public attention to their plight.
The trio from Ernakulam, Wayanad and Kozhikode, climbed atop the building and balanced themselves precariously on the edge threatening to commit suicide.
The Fire and Rescue personnel who found that nets were not feasible in the area, borrowed mattress used in pole vaults from the Sports Council and spread them around.
Finally, following reconciliation talks by the Additional District Magistrate and the Cantonment Assistant Commissioner, the trio came down amidst the taunts of curious onlookers who had gathered in front of the Secretariat.
The District Collector has convened a meeting with the candidates on Thursday. The Cantonment police is yet to register a case against the trio.
According to the protestors, around 1.25 lakh candidates had applied to the commando wing of the IR Battalion in 2010. Of the total 1,000 men who passed the exams, only 442 were posted.
