M A I N   N E W S

Alarmed at rising suicides by jawans, Antony to consult Services
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 5
Alarmed at seeing almost 100 Army soldiers commit suicide annually since 2006, Defence Minister AK Antony has asked the three Services to come up with additional suggestions to improve living conditions and methods to curb suicidal tendencies among jawans.

He has asked the Vice-Chief’s of the three services, the Defence Secretary and the head of the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR) to be present at a brain storming session tomorrow.

Sources said the latest trigger to Antony’s reaction is the August 8 suicide of a jawan of the 16th cavalry regiment. Arun V, who hailed from Thiruvananthapuram, committed suicide with his service weapon. The incident occurred in the Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir. His angered mates later raised slogans against officers and surrounded their residences in protest. The Army has ordered a Court of Inquiry into the incident. The jawan had been reportedly refused leave to go home.

In 2010, the DIPR was tasked to provide parameters to enable officers to identify and spot the “at risk” soldiers. One of the studies was a psychological autopsy of suicides.

In all, 1,018 soldiers have committed suicide since 2003. This year alone, 62 suicides have been reported in the forces till July 31. The number of suicides over the past few years is: 2003 (96), 2004 (100), 2005 (77), 2006 (129), 2007 (118), 2008 (123), 2008 (96), 2010 (115), 2011 (102).

Antony told Parliament last month “the major causes of suicides were domestic problems, marital discord, stress and financial problems”.

In the past, the government has taken several steps to prevent such incidents. These included counselling, improvement in food and clothing, married accommodation, leave concession, air travel for movement of troops from border areas and establishing a grievance redressing mechanism in states.

Senior officials, however, admit the number of suicides is worrisome, especially when several steps have been initiated over the past few years to improve the quality of life for the troops.

the trigger

Trigger to Antony’s reaction is the August 8 suicide of a jawan of the 16th cavalry regiment. Arun V, who hailed from Thiruvananthapuram.