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
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