1532 paramilitary personnel died by suicide in last 13 years: govt to Parliament

The data on suicide deaths of CAPFs personnel was provided by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question. “136 CAPF personnel died by suicide in 2022, 157 in 2021 and 143 in 2020. This year, 71 such deaths were reported,” said Rai.

The CAPF comprises forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Assam Rifles, and National Security Guard (NSG). Together, they have around nine lakh personnel.

Rai said a task force has been set up to identify relevant risk factors as well as relevant risk groups and suggest remedial measures for the prevention of suicides and fratricides in CAPFs and AR. The report of the task force is awaited.

On February 4, The Indian Express had reported that discrimination among sub-groups, the trauma of being abused, bullying at the workplace, fear of initiation of disciplinary or legal action, and lack of communication between the company commander and jawans were some of the reasons cited by a task force formed to look into suicide and fratricide cases in CAPFs.

Sharing details of suicide cases year-wise, Rai said, “119 suicide cases reported in 2011, 118 in 2012, 113 in 2013, 125 in 2014, 108 in 2015, 92 in 2016, 125 in 2017, 96 in 2018, and 129 in 2019.”

Rai also clarified no cases of suicide caused due to harassment by the system have been reported.

The task force was constituted by the Union of Home Ministry to study and analyse incidents and prepare a comprehensive report. In its draft report submitted to MHA in January this year, the task force found three major factors — service conditions, working conditions, and personal/individual issues — which it said led to incidents of suicides and fratricides.

“Among reasons for suicides, the task force recorded extended working hours, inadequate time to rest and recreation, lack of job satisfaction as compared with their counterparts of other sectors, sense of isolation and lack of social as well as familial support, and lack of robust grievance redressal mechanism,” a source said citing details from the draft report.

Earlier, Rai had said steps were taken or are being taken to avoid incidents of suicides in CAPFs, AR, and NSG personnel including “transparent policies pertaining to transfer and leave of CAPFs, AR and NSG personnel”.

“Choice posting is considered to the extent possible after the personnel served in hard areas. The hospitalisation period due to injuries while on duty is treated as on duty, regular interaction of officers with troops to find out and redress their grievances and ensuring adequate rest and relief by regulating the duty hours,” he had said.