Bearing the Unseen Scars: Suicides in India’s Dedicated CRPF Force
In the heart of India’s unwavering commitment to ‘Service and Loyalty,’ stands the nation’s most significant paramilitary force. This organization was established on July 27, 1939, under the auspices of the East-India Company, and was given the name “Crown Representative’s Police” (CRP). In its infancy, with just two battalions stationed in Nimach, Madhya Pradesh, their primary mission was safeguarding British Residents in sensitive zones. However, the winds of independence led to a transformation, and on the 28th of December in 1949, the Indian government rebranded it as the ‘Central Reserved Police Force’ under the CRPF Act. Abbreviated as CRPF, this formidable force emerged by amalgamating several state-reserved police units. Today, with a staggering 246 battalions and an unwavering force of 313,634 dedicated Jawans tirelessly serving day and night, their commitment remains unmatched. Their nerve center resides in the CGO Complex, New Delhi. They are under the authority of the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India.
This organization is responsible for maintaining peace and order between states and centrally administered territories, stopping violence created by crowds, countering insurgents, and providing security to important people in India. In addition, they are in charge of ensuring the security of those participating in the Amarnath Yatra, one of the 51 Shakti Pithas and the temple’s longest journey, covering a distance of 36 to 48 km between Pahalgam and Amarnath between the Himalayan mountain range over the course of about six days in POK. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has several specialized units and agencies under its command. In 2008, the CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) was incorporated to combat insurgent activities in the Red Corridor, a hotspot for Naxalite-Maoist insurgencies. Additionally, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) was established in October 1992 to handle riots, search and rescue operations, and relief efforts. The Special Duty Group, an elite battalion within the CRPF, is responsible for securing the outer perimeter of the Prime Minister’s official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, and providing security for the Prime Minister’s office in the North Block and during outdoor events. The CPEF Valley QAT is an elite anti-terrorist unit tasked with eliminating terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir. The Parliament Duty Group is responsible for safeguarding Parliament House, particularly during security incidents. Also, the Security Wing whose work is understood by its name.
Serving in any unit of the CRPF is very demanding and challenging, as there is a constant threat of encountering militants or terrorists during duty. Those entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring the safety of others often have little time for rest, especially during emergencies when their workdays can extend to 12–14 grueling hours. In addition to these long hours, they have to bear the weight of heavy equipment, including bulletproof jackets and helmets, which can collectively weigh up to 10 kilograms. Carrying such a load for extended periods, especially during prolonged standing duty, can lead to the wear and tear of leg cartilage, a condition that sometimes requires surgical intervention. While on anti-Naxalite missions, CRPF soldiers sometimes have to venture deep into the jungle for a couple of days. It’s pretty scary because there’s a chance of terrorists ambushing them in the thick jungle. The scary part is that if a soldier gets hurt, it’s tough to get help because helicopters can’t easily spot them in all that greenery. Seeing their friends get hurt or worse can be stressful for these guys. In the face of these harsh realities and the spectre of death, these jawans bear the unseen scars of stress and trauma.
Not only being challenged physically but constantly being deployed in different environments during their service makes it difficult for CRPF personnel to be in touch with their family which often leads to emotional stress too. They’re used to following strict routines and rules in their work, and sometimes unintentionally apply the same rigidity at home, causing instability in their family lives. Being away from their families for a whopping 289 days is incredibly tough, and it leaves them yearning for those precious moments together, which are far too few. There’s a well-known acronym for CRPF — “Chalte Raho Pyare,” which means “Keep moving, loved ones.” This reflects their need to move from one challenging location to another during their service, often making it hard for them to build lasting friendships and find mental stability. In addition to their duties, they also have to manage the security, health, and education of their children. These added responsibilities, along with the numerous challenges they face, lead many CRPF personnel to experience high-stress levels. Sadly, some of them don’t receive the necessary mental support from others to help them cope with this stress, and they see no way out other than resorting to suicide. This is a shocking and alarming issue, with a staggering 57 reported suicides among CRPF personnel in 2021. This leaves a scar for the entire family to lose a loved one by suicide.
In response to these challenges, the CRPF has initiated a program called “Love You Zindagi” aimed at enhancing the mental well-being of their personnel. It also focuses on promoting gender awareness and strengthening long-distance family relationships. Furthermore, the program imparts essential life skills such as financial management to ensure that they make wise financial decisions. As part of this initiative, they empower the spouses by providing education in areas like net banking, driving, and computer skills, enabling them to handle these tasks independently. Also, another program called “Talking Circles” or “chaupals” addresses this issue. The chaupals aim to provide a safe space for personnel to discuss their problems and feelings outside of the work context. This step is seen as an acknowledgment of the harmful effects of suppressing stress, particularly among male personnel, who often feel societal pressure to appear strong and not express their emotions.
While these are a few positive steps, the underlying issues of poor mental health due to working conditions, low pay, and high-stress levels persist. There is also a lack of systemic changes to address these concerns and mental health care remains compromised within the forces. The focus on discussing “personal” problems rather than systemic issues and the boundary between personal and official matters may not fully address the problem. The issue is further compounded by the stress and trauma experienced by personnel in the context of political unrest and militarization in certain regions. The article raises questions about the effectiveness of these efforts, given the demands of military service that often require suppressing emotions, dehumanization, and violence.
Despite the harsh and challenging conditions they face, the brave CRPF jawans carry out their duties with unwavering sincerity and dedication. Their enthusiasm to serve the country knows no bounds, as evidenced by their remarkable record of receiving 1586 gallantry medals, the highest among paramilitary forces. In 2022 alone, they were honoured with an additional 30 gallantry medals. It’s worth noting that before the establishment of the Border Security Force (BSF) in 1965, the CRPF bore the responsibility of safeguarding the India-Pakistan border. Over the years, the CRPF has played a pivotal role in ensuring the peaceful conduct of General Elections, particularly in challenging states like Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, and the North-East. Their commitment to maintaining peace and stability extends to international missions as well, with CRPF contingents deployed in United Nations operations. We are thankful for their courage which helps us to roam anywhere without fear. With this article we aim to bring awareness to all of us and as responsible citizens must try our very best to assure CRPF jawans living nearby to not worry about their families as the whole country is with them. Jai Hind!
