The armed personnel are dealing with multiple situations, especially ensuring law and order on the ground. However, amid providing secure atmosphere to the people, the incidents of suicide among the armed personnel are putting a question mark over the favorable environment being provided to them in the line of duty.
According to the figures available, in the last seven years till 2021, a total of 787 armed forces personnel died by suicide since 2014 with the Army reporting a maximum of 591 such cases.
Such a rise in the suicide incidents is not only a worrying trend, but puts a huge responsibility on the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to investigate the matter and come up with the facts as to what prompted the armed personnel to take such an extreme step.
It is believed that there are several reasons behind these incidents while some of the people blame the adverse relationship between the armed personnel and the officers as well as the volatile situation they are dealing with.
Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik had said that armed forces have devised measures to deal with mental health issues of their personnel and prevent incidents of suicide and fratricide. Therefore, there is a dire need to come up with such measures without any further delay so that such incidents are prevented in the future.
Besides, working in an unfavorable atmosphere needs to be put to an immediate end as the overburdened armed personnel deserve a peaceful environment within the security establishments. Any adverse relationship despite going through the hectic working schedule is making the lives of the armed personnel miserable and thus leading to the extreme steps as well.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) must conduct a time-bound inquiry in this regard to ascertain the reasons behind the suicides among the armed personnel. The adverse relationship should also be investigated thoroughly so that the positive and favourable decisions are taken well on time.
