CRPF records 10 suicides in 23 Days: A wake-up call for the Indian government
Suicides within the CRPF are not a new issue, with an unsettling 194 deaths by suicide recorded from 2018 to 2022.
In a concerning development, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), recognized as the world’s largest centrally armed force, has noted 10 suicides among its ranks over the past 23 days. This alarming trend has led to top-level discussions, with a consensus that supervising officers should face performance-related consequences if such incidents occur under their watch.
Suicides within the CRPF are not a new issue, with an unsettling 194 deaths by suicide recorded from 2018 to 2022. The recent 10 cases span different divisions of the CRPF, including the specialized wing, the anti-Naxal unit CoBRA, and J&K units. These instances have occurred in various locations like Pulwama, Srinagar, Assam, Odisha, and Jharkhand, to name a few. Tragically, an inspector-level official from the elite CoBRA force is also among the deceased.
This distressing issue has been a topic of discussion at all levels, even drawing the attention of Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the recent Chintan Shivar. To help curb the rising suicide rates, supervising officers are now expected to shoulder more responsibility in preventing such incidents.
An anonymous senior official revealed to News18 that any future occurrences will be reflected in the supervising officer’s annual performance appraisal report, potentially impacting their chances of promotion.
ALARMING NUMBERS
According to official data, there has been a worrying increase in suicides among CRPF jawans from 2018 to 2021. The year 2018 saw 36 suicides, with numbers increasing to 40 in 2019, 54 in 2020, and 57 in 2021. While there was a slight reduction in 2022, with 43 reported cases, the figures remain high.
This year alone, 10 jawans have died by suicide between August 12 and September 4. Shockingly, nearly 30% of this year’s total suicides (34) occurred in the last ten days.
Senior officials attribute these tragic incidents to the challenging situations jawans face, such as anti-militancy operations, anti-Naxal operations, anti-riot duties, election duties, law and order maintenance, and disaster relief. These demanding roles require jawans to be always on alert.
“Most suicide cases in the force are due to factors like family disputes, marital problems, personal issues, and illness, with a few instances related to professional reasons. We are making serious efforts to create a conducive work environment and address grievances to minimize suicides,” a senior CRPF official shared with News18.
STEPS TAKEN SO FAR for CRPF
Buddy System: This strategy pairs two jawans together, fostering a bond that enhances mutual support. A change in one’s behavior can be quickly noticed by the other and reported to seniors for assistance.
Chaupal System: In an effort to promote open communication, CRPF personnel and officers engage in informal chaupal discussions, reminiscent of town and village chats in India. These gatherings allow free-flowing conversations without the fear of stigma.
Grievance Redressal System: A revamped system for grievance redressal has made it easier for personnel to reach supervisory officers. The CRPF’s new e-leave platform on the SAMBHAV app simplifies the leave application process, enabling personnel to apply and receive approval with just a few clicks.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, please reach out to any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata)
It’s important for the Indian government to take a proactive approach to address this issue and prioritize the mental health and well-being of its CRPF personnel. Suicides are a tragedy that affects not only individuals but also their families and communities, and addressing this issue is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between the government, military leadership, mental health professionals, and society at large.
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