By Muslim Mirror Desk,
437 armed force personnel have committed suicide in the last four years, whereas 237 were killed while fighting enemy either during combat operations against militants or cross border firing.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha, the minister of state for defence Subhash Bhamre said the highest proportion of suicide falls in the Army. In last four years, 340 armymen, 18 personnel from the Navy and 79 defence personnel from the IAF have committed suicide. Number of suicides continues unabated in the armed forces despite successive government claiming to have taken several measures to reduce the stress level among soldiers.
According to earlier data compiled by the Ministry of Defence for the period January 1, 2014 to March 31st, 2017 three hundred and forty eight personnel committed suicide while on duty. Of these 276 were from the Army, 12 from Navy and sixty from the Air Force. In the preceding four years 597 personnel of Army committed suicide: 116 in 2010, 105 in 2011, 95 in 2012 and 86 in 2013.
Bhamre said that several steps are being taken to create healthy environment for their army personnel, their officers and other ranks to improve their morale. It includes provision for better quality of facilities such as clothing, food, married accommodation, travel facilities, schooling and recreation, and periodic welfare meeting.
“The broad measures taken include upgradation of security infrastructure and intelligence capabilities, refinement of operational drill and response mechanism, equipping the forces with state-of-art weapon, equipment and surveillance devices, medical support and quick casualties evacuation mechanism,” Bhamre informed Rajya Sabha.