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| Stress cause shooting in army ranks | | |
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 (Jammu/Srinagar ):
Recently in the Kashmir valley there have been disturbing incidents of shootouts within our armed forces.
In the last one-year at least six jawans lost control and opened fire at colleagues whom they have work alongside for years.
Perhaps stress, perhaps loneliness or even violence and uncertainty of daily battles. There are no easy answers.
But the truth is cast in blood, as shootouts in army camps in the valley are becoming a part of everyday reality.
Up in the north battling militants protecting the frontiers is our Army. Even their guns are now sounding a different shot.
In the last one-year at least six jawans have lost control and opened fire at colleagues, whom they have worked alongside for years.
Brutal shootouts
There have been two brutal shootouts in army camps of Rajouri over the last week.
On Monday, a jawan of 60 Rashtrya Rifles killed two colleagues apparently without any serious provocation.
The day before in another camp nearby a soldier shot three colleagues dead. Again the reason was unknown.
''We have ordered an enquiry on why this happened," said Colonel S D Goswami, Army PRO.
Everyday reality
There might not be easy explanations but these shootouts have become a party of our force's everyday reality. This year itself over six cases reported each more brutal than the other.
Twenty-seven-year-old Army Major Harsh of 38 Rashtriya Rifles was leading counter-insurgency operations in Rajouri.
He fell to the bullet not of terrorists but of his office clerk Naik N Ravi, who pulled out a gun after Harsh lashed at him for inefficiency.
''Had it been the enemy, he could have battled them. He was a brave soldier and has killed militants. The Army must introspect why these incidents take place, why I had to lose my son,'' said Raj Singh, Father, Retd Commandant, BSF.
Bizarre shootout
Another bizarre shootout this time outside the CM's residence in Jammu.
CRPF jawan Anand Kumar Singh on guard duty suddenly opened fire killing three colleagues including an inspector. Army said it was a case of strained relations.
''This was an interpersonal relationship problem, due to which he fired," said Gopal Sharma, Director General of Police, J&K.
"We are taking a serious not of it. We are looking into if there is anything else needed to be done for their living conditions or performance of duty. We will do that," he added.
There was yet another bloodbath at the transit camp in Miran Sahib, 10 kilometres from Jammu.
Naik Suchender Singh of 21 Rajput Regiment gunned down three soldiers during a minor argument. When Subedar Major Bhor Singh tried to intervene Naik killed him too.
''He was suffering from depression and was a low medical category case since June 2005," said Sheikh Mehmood, SP, South Jammu.
Then at Srinagar just days after killing two fidayeens CRPF jawan Avtaar Singh killed four of his colleagues over a small argument.
''He had been tense. He was facing family problems," said Yuvraj Singh, DIG, BSF.
Mental stress
It is not something uncommon here. Shooting of colleagues by the security forces speaks volumes about the mental stress jawans are facing while fighting unconventional war in Kashmir.
What adds to the stress denial of leave reprimands sometimes even simple arguments.
Also little-known but true almost every jawan in Kashmir carries a personal weapon loaded at all times.
So, even after Army rifles go back to the unit armoury guns have been pulled out over small arguments.
Battling in enemy within is not easy. Music, film, poetry may bring in good cheer
''The only objective is that the jawans feel happy. Their tension is released and their morale is kept high. Such diversions are required," said J K Sinha, DG, CRPF.
But efforts such as these to keep the jawans entertained clearly not enough.
''Our confidence wears out as we are always away from home, on a very difficult job," said Kaptan Singh, Head constable, CRPF.
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