Suicides in paramilitary forces rise, Home Ministry prioritise leave policy

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Rajya Sabha about a concerning rise in suicides among Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, with 730 deaths by suicide recorded and over 55,000 personnel opting for resignation or voluntary retirement.

These alarming figures point to long duty hours, sleep deprivation, and personal challenges as contributing factors.

A task force investigating the issue revealed that over 80% of suicides occurred after personnel returned home from leave. Key personal triggers include bereavement, marital discord, financial stress, and limited educational opportunities for children.

To mitigate stress, the MHA has implemented a policy allowing personnel to spend extended time with their families. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai reported that 42,797 personnel utilized this leave policy, with 6,302 spending 100 days with their families in 2024, compared to 8,636 in 2023 and 7,864 in 2021.

The task force emphasized the need for systemic changes to prevent suicides and fratricide within the CAPFs and Assam Rifles. Recommendations include improving living conditions, regulating duty hours for adequate rest, providing recreational facilities, and enhancing grievance redressal mechanisms.

The report noted a higher incidence of suicides among male personnel, citing their reluctance to share problems due to fear of ridicule from peers. Female personnel exhibited lower rates of suicide attempts, underscoring the importance of fostering open communication among male jawans to address their concerns.

The task force criticized current stress management efforts as inconsistent and recommended a more structured approach. Suggestions include a transparent leave management system, equitable promotion policies to boost morale, and a fair transfer process. Inadequate promotional opportunities were highlighted as a significant factor in demoralizing personnel.