Proactive measures by the armed forces in improving the working conditions of its personnel has brought down the suicide rate this year as compared to last few years even as operational commanders have been instructed to accord top priority to further bring down the number of such incidents.
While this year saw 91 cases of suicide including 74 in the Army, three in the Navy and 14 in IAF, the corresponding figure for the last year stood at 111(95 Army, one in Navy and 14 in IAF).
The armed forces introduced a series of measures two years back after year 2010 and 2011 recorded the highest number of suicides touching 131 and 132 respectively. Moreover, the Army suffered the most number of such incidents including 116 in 201 and 105 in 2011.
Concerned over these incidents, Defence Minister AK Antony had ordered a thorough review and the Services and the Defence Institute of Psychological Research(DIPR) besides College of Defence Management carried out detailed study into reasons for suicide.
They then came out with a slew of measures including setting up a grievance redressal mechanism cell in the forces, liberalized leave police and improvement in living and working conditions through better infrastructure and facilities, Antony informed the lok Sabha in recently concluded winter session.
Besides these measures, officers were directed to maintain close contact with the soldiers in their units and attend to their problems be it domestic or professional promptly. Findings in most of the suicide cases pertained to domestic issues troubling the soldier and they took the extreme step shortly after returning to duty after availing their leave.
As majority of soldiers from rural background, the defence minister wrote letters to all the state governments two years back urging the district administration to deal with problems of soldiers in a sympathetic manner. A majority of problems faced by soldiers pertained to land disputes or marital discord due to long absence from home.
The Army took immediate step in this regard and now allow the soldier to visit his home at least twice a year besides special leave to attend to any emergency, officials said. Prior to this measure, soldiers used to commit suicide or kill their brethren when denied leave to rush back home for any emergency.
Antony also informed Parliament that among other measures for prevention of suicide cases included psychological counseling of disturbed soldier by trained counselors. Moreover, yoga and meditation sessions were now part of schedule of soldiers to de- stress them especially those operating in risk environment in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East.