Fatigue may be slowing jawans down in Chhattisgarh Red zone

The Union government is concerned that Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in Chhattisgarh may be fighting fatigue, and could be among the main reasons for the frequent losses against rebels in the area. A report, which is being prepared to explain the factors that led to the recent massacre of 25 CRPF personnel in Chhattisgarh, is expected to list fatigue as one of the main contributing factors for CRPF losses in Maoist stronghold Sukma.

A team of officials who went to assess the cause of failure in Sukma also doubt if the personnel of the 100-strong 74 battalion followed established standard operating procedures (SOPs).

"The fatigue factor could have prompted the jawans not to follow SOPs properly. They were not very vigilant. We discovered that CRPF personnel are more willing to go to Kashmir than enter the Maoist zone," said the official, adding that the report will establish these aspects. The findings are expected to recommend reducing the posting period of jawans in the Maoist stronghold. Sources added that the inquiry reveals that the tactical competence of jawans was outmanoeuvred by the Maoists, who took advantage of the predictability factor of CRPF's movement in the area. However, a top official denied reports that the bodies of jawans killed in the Sukma attack were mutilated.