Heart Attacks and Illness Claim Lives of 577 CAPF Personnel in Naxal-Affected Areas Over Five Years

Over the past five years, 577 personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have succumbed to heart attacks and illnesses in Naxal-affected states, with the majority being from the Central Reserve Police Force. This data was shared by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai in Parliament.

In a concerning revelation, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai disclosed to Parliament that 577 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel have died due to heart attacks and illnesses in Naxal-affected states over the last five years. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) reported the highest fatalities with 297, followed by the Border Security Force (BSF) with 108 deaths.

The minister provided year-wise data covering 2019-2023, highlighting that 76 personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 74 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and 22 from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) succumbed to similar medical conditions. Rai emphasized that no specific unusual causes were observed in these regions.

Additionally, Rai noted that the CRPF has implemented several measures to prevent suicides and improve mental health among its ranks. He cited improvements in living conditions funded by the government and the availability of a 24x7 toll-free counseling hotline. Despite these efforts, CAPFs, including the Assam Rifles, continue to face vacancies, with ongoing recruitment processes aimed at addressing the shortfall.