Stress kills 15 times more in CRPF than anti-Naxal operations
156 CRPF men died due to heart attack last year, six due to malaria and dengue, 38 of depression and suicide and 435 due to other reasons, says Hansraj G Ahir
Stress claims more lives in Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) than anti-Maoist operations. Minister of State for Home Hansraj G Ahir in a written reply in the Lok Sabha said that heart attacks, depression and suicides claims 15 times lives of CRPF jawans compare to anti-Maoist operations.
He said a total of 1,294 personnel of the force were killed between 2016 and July this year, out of which only 85 troops died in operations in the Left Wing Extremism affected states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.
He said that last year 156 CRPF personnel died due to heart attack, six due to malaria and dengue, 38 because of depression and suicide and 435 due to other non-operational reasons.
Similarly, in 2016, a total 92 jawans died due to heart attack, five due to dengue or malaria, 26 because of depression and suicides while 353 lost their lives due to other reasons.
This year till July, 39 personnel died due to heart attack, five due to malaria and dengue, 19 because of depression and suicide while 124 lost their lives due to other reasons.
The combined data shows that heart attacks, depression, suicides, malaria, dengue and other such reasons constitute 15 times more over operational duties as the major reasons for the death of CRPF jawans and officers in the last two years.
To boost the morale of the force, the minister sadi that Centre is taking various steps.
He said, "Government has been taking several measures to ensure good morale of all Central Armed Police Forces personnel."
He further pointed out that specialized training and modern equipment are being provided to personnel operating under adverse conditions. "Additional allowances and incentives to personnel deployed in anti-naxal operations in terms of Risk Allowance, HRA and extension of facility for retention of government accommodation at the last place of posting is already in place," he added.
In addition, insurance and various advances/loans are given to ensure financial well-being. Basic amenities like proper accommodation, medical facilities, timely evacuation of injured, better promotional avenues, gallantry awards, rewards and appreciations, grievance redressal etc are being addressed, the minister said.