New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS): A total of eight cases of fratricide were reported in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in 2021 and 25 cases in the last three years, the Parliament was told on Tuesday.
Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told the Lok Sabha, in a written reply, said that this year, two cases were reported in Assam Rifles, one in the Border Security Force, five in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) while there were three cases in the BSF, one in the Central Industrial Security Force, three cases in the CRPF and one case in the Sashastra Seema Bal, making a total of eight in 2020.
Nine cases were reported in 2019 - five cases in the BSF, three cases in the CRPF and one in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, he added.
Rai also said that the improvement in working conditions of CAPFs and AR personnel is a constant endeavour and measures are being undertaken to promote the mental health and wellbeing of the jawans.
Transparent policies pertaining to transfer and leave of CAPFs and AR personnel have already been in place and the "choice posting" is considered to the extent possible after the personnel serve in "hard areas", he said.
The hospitalisation period due to injuries on duty is now treated as on duty, he added.
Other measures such as regular interactions of officers with enlisted personnel to find out and redress their grievances, ensuring adequate rest and relief by regulating the duty hours, improving living conditions, providing adequate recreational and entertainment, sports, communication facilities and creche facility is also provided at various establishments (where feasible) to facilitate the female employees.
The Ministry has also made a facility of retention of government accommodation at the place of last posting (for keeping the family) while posted in northeastern states, Jammu and Kashmir, and Left Wing-Extremism affected areas.
It has also directed the CAPFs to provide better medical facilities as well as organising talks with specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns and organising meditation and yoga routinely for better stress management whereas the security personnel adequately get compensated, if deployed in difficult areas.
The government has taken special care of promotions which are released regularly to eligible personnel as and when the vacancies arise. Financial benefits under Modified Assured Career Progression (MACP) are given at 10, 20, and 30 years of service in case promotion does not take place for want of vacancies, Rai added.
The Minister also informed that other welfare measures like facility of Central Police Canteen, scholarship for their wards, and air courier service has also been provided to CAPF personnel deployed in NE states, J&K, and LWE affected areas as welfare measure and to reduce the stress level of CAPFs/ARs personnel.