IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH CENTRAL ARMED POLICE FORCES

Highlighting the urgency for immediate intervention is the surge in mental health concerns within the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) recent update to the Rajya Sabha, there has been a distressing 38 percent rise in psychiatric cases within the paramilitary forces, escalating from 3,584 cases in 2020 to 4,940 cases in the preceding year. This statistic gains even more significance when viewed in the context of the recent tragic incident involving an RPF constable in Maharashtra, who fatally shot his senior officer and three passengers aboard a train.

 The inconsistent behavior displayed by authorities—initially asserting that the constable’s family had concealed his mental health problems and subsequently retracting the statement—exemplifies a lack of sensitivity in addressing this critical issue. This situation is particularly concerning, given that the personnel within this force undergo regular medical fitness screenings. It exposes a deeper-rooted problem: a lack of adequate institutional support for the overburdened soldiers who endure challenging assignments for extended durations. Arbitrary transfer policies and the denial of leaves can significantly disturb their well-being. A report presented to the MHA indicates that soldiers working under extreme stress are more susceptible to violence if their issues remain unresolved, a circumstance further exacerbated when they are entrusted with firearms, as the available statistics sadly illustrate.

 The authorities must initiate measures to tackle the mounting frustration among the soldiers, as this frustration could potentially lead to instances of suicide and fratricide. Data reveals that between 2018 and 2020, a total of 658 suicides were recorded among personnel from CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB, ITBP, and Assam Rifles. Furthermore, an MHA report submitted to the Lok Sabha in April disclosed that over the past five years, 29 personnel were killed by their comrades. Another symptom of this issue is the increasing number of employees opting for voluntary retirement, which significantly impacts both lives and productivity, necessitating a thorough investigation