In the past 10 years, the CRPF lost 3,364 personnel to natural causes and 837 to accidents. In contrast, the force lost around 604 personnel in action.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has lost more men to accidents and natural deaths than to insurgents in the northeast, terrorists in Kashmir or Maoists in central India. In the past 10 years the force lost a little over 4,800 men. Of these, 3,364 personnel were lost to natural causes and 837 to accidents. Around 604 personnel were lost in action.
Senior officials confess that while a lot of people die because of health problems and old age, the single biggest problem for the force is mosquitoes in the northeast and now in Chhattisgarh where they are taking on the Maoists.
“On an average, we lose about 100 men to brain fever every year. Our men get brain fever and malaria in the jungles of Chhattisgarh but neither the villagers nor Maoists face similar problems,” said a senior home ministry official.
Senior officers said the problem of brain fever and malaria is so severe in the northeast that one out of every three personnel has suffered from brain fever. More than the illness, the disease affects morale of the forces, the officer said.
Sources in the paramilitary force also said that health of paramilitary personnel, especially mental health condition, has become a cause for concern because of the increasing problems. Not to be forgotten, the officers are also falling prey to HIV and AIDS. Since the men are constantly posted in tough areas, there have been at least 1,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. Another 700 have reported cancer and more than 40,000 have developed skin diseases while another 5,000 have psychiatric problems.
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