Military

Nearly 800 soldiers committed suicide in last seven years in Indian Army, Air Force and Navy. Similar scenario in paramilitary too. Need humane approach

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Written reply in Rajya Sabha underscored the need to maintain the reforms within the forces

Ministry of Defence on Monday informed Parliament that nearly 800 soldiers died by suicide since 2014 in the three services besides 20 cases of fratricide. Giving details, the Ministry said while the Indian Army recorded 591 cases, the IAF (Indian Air Force) reported 160 while the Indian Navy saw 36 in the last seven years. This written reply in the Rajya Sabha underscored the need to maintain the reforms within the armed forces to evolve an ethos wherein such incidents come down immediately.

The Defence forces had taken several measures some years back when cases of fratricide wherein soldiers killing their superiors and colleagues and suicides saw a spike. The steps included more relaxed leave norms to allow soldiers to attend to their families in far-flung villages, stress management in insurgency and terrorism hit areas and regular interaction with senior officers.

Here the question raises on the attitude of officers handling the grievances and request for leave from the soldiers.

Given the make-up of the armed forces with soldiers coming mostly from a rural background, the Defence forces also urged the local administration of their villages to attend to their cases of dispute if any with empathy and speed.

According to many internal studies of the forces, many soldiers go through emotional trauma related to domestic issues while staying in camps on official duty. They might be losing concentration due to domestic issues, problems in the family and wanted to get leave to join the family to settle issues. They get annoyed and lose temper when they were not granted leave from duty which leads to anger against superior officers. Many studies stressed the demand for a humane approach and psychological counselling in camps to distress the soldiers.

Similar is the case of suicides in paramilitary forces like CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force), BSF (Border Security Force) etc. Union Home Ministry in the previous year informed Parliament that in 2019 alone 128 soldiers committed suicide from central paramilitary forces. The reasons were the same as per the studies of the Military on the paramilitary persons living in camps distancing from families[1].

Here the question raises on the attitude of officers handling the grievances and request for leave from the soldiers. Not only the soldiers to be given psychological counselling, but their officers must also be given counselling to adopt a humane approach to the distressed soldiers.

References:

[1] Why are suicides increasing in the CAPF?Feb 04, 2020, PGurus.com

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View Comments

  • I pity their plight.
    Imagine the fate of our defense forces in Siachin Glaciers......

    There are 28 states and 8 Union territories in the country. All political rejects appointed as Governors and Lt.Governors must be removed and eminent ex-servicemen should be appointed in their place to first set right internal security of our nation and such ex-servicemen shall do something good to our defense forces.

    Drone technologies and Robotics may minimize untimely deaths.

  • The suicide rate among men is astronomically high in India, much higher than women. Yet it is not recognized as an issue. Men are extremely emotionally and psychologically vulnerable, their macho exterior notwithstanding, and our country will soon see an epidemic of men mental health as it has chosen to not even recognize as an issue.

    Many of these domestic issues mentioned in this article that are being faced by armymen are not simple wear and tear of a marriage, or due to long period of separation - these are ugly battles being fought in the courtroom where our soldiers are under fire and defenseless due to our gender biased judicial system. Our soldiers are not trained to handle such pressure.

  • When you use defense forces to run administration 365 days
    a) flood control
    b) disaster control
    c) riots
    d) election processes
    e) security of corrupt politicians
    f) anti-terror activities
    g) pathetic living conditions for forces
    h) they pay with life, while politicians enjoy air conditioned environment
    i) primitive equiupment - 303 rifles
    j) 20 hours working
    k) minimal food facilities
    l) no recognition for their services

  • India’s suicidal soldiers, sailors and airmen: IF the enemy does not kill you, your Government will:

  • These soldiers perhaps realised that they were defending a nation devoid of any ethics, principles and honesty with parliaments members having a close to 50% of criminal cases against them.
    When the leaders do not set an example or set a wrong example, what can one expect of these pitiable persons.
    A nation whose people can believe leaders that goes around recommending lighting diyas and banging thalis, fighting a Covidbharata over 21 days, etc.
    A nation of sad to say people who have lost their senses for power and money.
    These facts are real.

    • Sir, you are really out of your depth. Your comments are reflective of your mindset of "SLAVERY to Dynasty is BLISSSSSSS". Can you with any sincerity say this country was run Sensibly, with progress & National interests uppermost during the past 6+ decades? And what did this Nation achieve thanks to their "Pa-Beti-Beta-Bahu-Damad" dynasty rule? Am VERY MUCH saddened to see such Low esteem for one's motherland. Jai HIND. Vande Matharam 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

      • Sir,
        The earlier dynastic rule was terrible. This one is as bad or worse.
        Do not assume what you wish.
        As for one's esteem, does one have any left today looking at the state of the different institutions like Police, Judiciary, etc?
        Only certain people can thrive in this motherland, the type to which you apparently belong.

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