Increasing number of stress-propelled suicide cases among policemen has left the State Police department in deep crisis. The record of at least eight policemen ending life to get rid of the mounting duty-related stress in various districts of the State over the last four years is indeed worrisome and needs to be probed into to find out ways to stop their recurrence, said senior cops.
However, the observers believed that the actual number of such deaths is much higher than the official figures. There are several instances of the bereaved families suppressing suicidal deaths of policemen while ascribing them to heart attacks and other causes.
Asked to explain why the police personnel are courting deaths this way, a senior police officer said the job of police was very tough with the duty hours running into over 12 hours a day.
“Things continue this way throughout the year while the normal duty hour is eight hours a day. Compounding things for them psychologically, most of them perforce work away from their families. Families help one to ease much of the stress. Besides, they have limited number of leaves. Even during the festivals, they can hardly go home to celebrate with their near ones, given the paucity and restriction on leaves.
Even on the work front, conditions are utterly gloomy. They have to grapple with acute dearth of basic facilities like toilet and portable water. These taken together can prove lethal on their nervous system, prodding them to brood over their pitiable plight and to go for the desperate steps. Such deaths cannot be stopped unless and until the authority shows empathy with them in their predicament and does something to mitigate the grinding weight they are being squeezed under,” the senior cop said.
As per the report received from the police headquarters, the year-wise figures of such deaths are four in 2014, three in 2013 and one in 2012.
The names of policemen who committed suicides are Mohit Sajwan who died on January 11, 2014 in Dehradun, Kamal Singh of 46th battalion of PAC, US Nagar died on January 29, 2013, Constable Kheem Singh of IRB-I, Ramnagar died on October 30, 2013 and SI (special) Madan lal, deputed in IRB-I, Ramnagar died on December 11, 2014.
Vijay Kumar, fourth class employee of 31stbattalion PAC, US Nagar died on February 7, 2014. Besides, constable Chandan Singh, US Nagar died on December 15, 2013 and head constable (special) Ramesh Chandra Arya died in Pauri on April 10, 2012.
Sounding concerned over the increasing number of such cases, State DGP BS Sidhu said that counselling session is being hosted for them from time to time. Considering that this might not be enough, the department is now mulling to take help from professional psychologists to help the vulnerable overcome such self-destructive tendencies, he said, adding that a proposal will be sent to the State Government soon. The department has given all assistance as per the guidelines to the families of policemen who have committed suicide in the State.