Editorial: Fratricidal killings

The prolonged emotional stress in the most trying working conditions is taking a heavy toll on our security personnel. The recent incident of fratricidal killing in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, in which four CRPF jawans were killed, points to an ominous trend. The same day, a CRPF trooper committed suicide by shooting himself with his service […]

The prolonged emotional stress in the most trying working conditions is taking a heavy toll on our security personnel. The recent incident of fratricidal killing in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, in which four CRPF jawans were killed, points to an ominous trend. The same day, a CRPF trooper committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir. These are not isolated incidents. In May last year, an assistant platoon commander killed two of his fellow soldiers with his service rifle AK-47. Over the past three years, 15 jawans have lost their lives in fratricide cases in Chhattisgarh’s Maoist-infested Bastar alone. Similar incidents have been reported from other hotspots too. Such macabre conduct of a trained trooper who should have ideally been a disciplined soldier is a reflection of a deeper malaise gripping the paramilitary forces, particularly the CRPF. The regularity with which such incidents involving security personnel are being reported from different parts of the country should be a matter of concern. The recurring cases of fratricide call for an overhaul of the discipline enforcement mechanisms within the ranks. Concrete measures are needed, not just in terms of correcting the perception about the functioning of the security forces but also improving the working conditions and the overall welfare of the personnel. Following a rise in such cases, the Chhattisgarh police had last year launched a special campaign for the security staff to overcome mental stress and depression. Paramilitary and armed forces have well-laid-out procedures and hierarchy for functioning which are strictly implemented.

While the Sukma incident is prima facie being described as having been triggered by emotional stress, there are larger issues relating to the working conditions of the security personnel. Preventive measures are needed to rule out such incidents. Though the CRPF has initiated an exercise, asking its formations to identify personnel who are either under depression or are stressed to undertake appropriate counselling, more steps are needed to raise the morale of the forces by looking into their problems and finding ways to redress grievances. The paramilitary jawans have an unenviable job as they are required to function under extremely difficult conditions like insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir and Maoist threat in Chhattisgarh. Round-the-clock vigil and constant threat to life can prove testing along with long duty hours, staying away from family and the easy availability of firearms. In June last year, the Chhattisgarh government launched ‘Spandan Campaign’ to check the incidents of suicide and fratricide among the security forces in the State. The campaign included redressal of personal grievances, compulsory counselling and medical treatment for depressed officers. The order also laid down provisions for yoga classes in all district headquarters for police personnel. A more compassionate approach is needed to manage the precious human resources in a challenging workforce.

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