Army on Saturday announced that more psychiatric centres would be opened in what it termed as high pressure areas in the Northern and Eastern Commands.
NEW DELHI: Army on Saturday announced that more psychiatric centres would be opened in what it termed as high pressure areas in the Northern and Eastern Commands as part of the new stress-busting measures among the ground forces.
While not attributing the surge in cases of suicides, molestations and fratricidal killings in armed forces to rising stress levels, especially in counter-insurgency areas, the army said two new psychiatric centres would be opened and additional specialists posted in these areas.
Also denying that there were any moves to close the doors to female recruits in the force, Maj Gen KS Sujlana Additional Director General Public information told reporters that on the contrary "we would like women officers to become total part of the army".
In this connection, Sujlana claimed that the Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen K Pattabhiraman had been misquoted and it was Government's policy to encourage women to join the armed forces.
“Proposals for drafting in more psychiatric counselors and centres have been sent to the defence ministry and are in advanced stages of implementation", Sujlana said as he revealed that Armed forces were probing the causes of rise in suicides and other cases in the army to come up with remedial measures.
Besides, these centres, army has also stepped up holding more workshops and lectures on stress-busting and also introduction of yoga classes in morning exercises for the troops.
The press conference was called to present proof that the death of Captain Sumit Kohli, a highly decorated officer, on April 30 was a case of suicide - a fact his family contests.
The alleged suicide Friday by a 25-year-old woman officer, Lt. Susmita Chakraborthy, also figured during the press conference, but more in passing, as Sujlana said the incident was being investigated.
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