More than 200 BSF and CRPF personnel have committed suicide owing to reasons like depression, marital discord and financial issues in the last four years, the government said on Wednesday.
The data provided by the government gave out the figures for the two largest paramilitary forces — CRPF and BSF — since 2007. The CRPF had the larger number of suicides at 143 while the BSF had 75.
The total number of suicides stood at 218 during the period for both the forces involved largely in anti-naxal, counter-insurgency, border guarding and law and order duties.
"Some CRPF and BSF personnel have committed suicide by their own weapons...The common reasons for committing suicide are domestic and personal problems, depression, marital discord, financial issues," minister of state for home affairs Ajay Maken told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
He said various steps have been taken by the government to prevent such cases, which included "timely leave to personnel, provision of separate family accommodation, development of infrastructure for improving the living conditions, extension of communication facilities to all border outposts for telephonic conversation with family.
"Regular and informal interactions of senior officers with the men, introduction of air couriers services for CRPF and BSF personnel among others," he said. While the CRPF strength comprises almost three lakh personnel, the BSF has about 2.3 lakh personnel in its ranks.