Twitter
Advertisement

Heart attacks kill CRPF jawans more than bullets

Bullets and bombs we fear not, but heart attacks and malaria we do.

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Bullets and bombs we fear not, but heart attacks and malaria we do.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) study shows that heart attacks, suicides and malaria are the biggest killers of its personnel than bullets, land mines and rockets in 10 Naxal-affected states.

As many as 978 jawans lost their lives to heart attacks, suicides and malaria in comparison to 323 lives that were lost in action against Maoists since 2009.

Incidentally, heart attacks due to anxiety, tension and unhealthy lifestyles accompanying the tough rigorous of jungle life are the single biggest killer and have caused 642 deaths.

Depression of being far away from home and located in a perpetually dangerous territory forces several jawans to commit suicide. Between 2009 and 2014, 228 jawans committed suicides.

Cerebral malaria is the fourth-biggest killer. The tiny female anopheles mosquito took away the lives of 108 jawans in the same period.

Are there other reasons?
Yes. The reasons for loss of lives are multiple. More than 1,600 jawans died because of diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis, renal failure, heat stroke, accidents and fratricide (one jawan killing the other).

What's the work schedule of a jawan like?
A CRPF jawan has to work for 12-15 hours a day without any extra compensation, more than 80% serving in areas hit by Left Wing Extremism, and don't get any holiday and have no Sundays. Continuous duty in squalid conditions and living dangerously 24X7 with little outdoor exercise, for months together takes a toll on their body and mind," says a senior official.

What about officers?
Even officers consider postings in Naxal areas as punishment posting and try their best to avoid it. This reporter was himself witness to a farewell function of an assistant commandant posted in Srinagar, J&K, who was being sent to Dantewada in Chhattisgarh on promotion. After a few drinks, he started weeping and started pleading with his fellow officers to somehow get his orders cancelled.

What's the home ministry doing?
Despite many representations, the ministry has done precious little, especially on having family stations near the place of deployment, claim a CRPF official. "The distance from the family and the inability to communicate for days is one major reason for suicides and anxiety-driven heart attacks," says a psychiatrist associated with the CRPF.

Are there any special facilities in Naxal-hit areas?
"We have been told that proper infrastructure with certain security parameters will be provided in Maoist-infested areas but that has remained on paper. The government has, however, done only one good thing: removing 10 years of qualifying service for award of pension. But this does not solve the actual problem,' said sources.
 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement