Suicide Cases in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF): Lok Sabha Q&A

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

ANSWERED ON 11.02.2014

3202 . SEEMA UPADHYAY, HARSH VARDHAN

(a) whether a large number of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have reportedly committed suicide;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the total number of such cases reported during each of the last three years and the current year, force, rank and gender-wise;

(c) whether the Government has received any complaints regarding murder of subordinates working under senior officers of CAPF;

(d) if so, the total number of such cases reported and the action taken against the guilty during the said period, force-wise; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to stop such cases in future?

ANSWER

(a) & (b): As per inputs the gender-wise and rank-wise details regarding incidents of committing of suicide in Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) & Assam Rifles (AR) and National Security Guard (NSG) during the last three years and the current year are as under:-

(c) & (d): No complaint regarding murder of subordinates working under senior officers of CAPF has been received in any of the CAPFs, AR and NSG except in CRPF. In CRPF two such complaints were received, one each in the year 2013 and 2014. Out of these one complaint was found to be false on investigation. In other complain the investigation has not yet been completed. The senior field formation has been directed to ensure fair and transparent inquiry/investigation into the incident. 

(e) A Court of Inquiry is conducted in every such incident to ascertain its causes and circumstances. The causative factors in most of the cases are found to be generally the personal and domestic problems like marital discord, personal enmity, mental illness, depression, etc. In few cases the same could be owing to the work related stress. 

A study was also got conducted through Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) to look into the factors causing stress in Forces and to suggest the remedial measures for the same. The team, in its report submitted in June, 2004, made recommendations which were broadly classified under three heads, viz organizational (37 recommendations), Individual (8 recommendations) and Governmental (3 recommendations). Government has already onsidered these recommendations to address the stress related problems, their causes and effects on the personnel to check the incidents of suicides. 

Further, following measures have been taken by the Government to control such cases, including easing of job related stress and improving the working conditions, behavior of senior officers and mental health of the personnel of CAPFs & ARs:- 

i. Implementation of a transparent, rational and fair leave policy; 

ii. Liberal grant of leave to the force personnel to attend to their urgent domestic problems/issues/needs; 

iii. Regular interaction, both formal and informal, among Commanders, officers and troops to find out and address their problems from time to time; 

iv. Revamping of grievances redressal machinery; 

v. Regulating duty hours to ensure adequate rest and relief; 

vi. Improving living conditions through provision of basic amenities/facilities for troops and their families; 

vii. Motivating the forces through increased risk, hardship and other allowances; 

viii. Provision of STD telephone facilities to the troops to facilitate being in touch with their family members and to reduce tension in the remote locations; 

ix. Better medical facilities for troops and their families including introduction of Composite Hospitals with specialized facilities;

x. Organizing talks by doctors and other specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns; 

xi. Yoga and meditation classes for better stress management; 

xii. Recreational and sports facilities and provision of team games and sports etc; 

xiii. Providing welfare measures like Central Police Canteen facility to the troops and their families, scholarships to their wards, etc.

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