New Delhi, Aug 8: A total of 1,028 soldiers from the Indian Army have committed suicide from 2003 to July this year, parliament was informed Wednesday. Defence Minister AK Antony said this in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to questions from a member.
Antony said he could not ascertain the veracity of information given by the member that over 15,000 soldiers had committed suicide in the last two decades in Jammu and Kashmir alone.
In 2003, the total suicides among soldiers was 96. It rose to 100 the next year.
A total of 129 committed suicide in 2006 and 77 in 2005.
In 2007, the figure was 118 and in 2008 123. In 2009, the number fell to 96 but rose to 115 in 2010. It was 102 in 2011.
Till July this year, 62 had reportedly killed themselves.
He said the major causes of suicides in the army were domestic problems, marital discord, stress and financial problems, according to studies by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR).
Meanwhile, in a separate reply Minister of State for Home Affairs Jitendra Singh said the number of suicides in paramilitary forces BSF and CRPF has increased in recent years.
Suicides in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) increased from 28 in 2009 to 42 in 2011. The incidents of fragging (one soldier killing other) was five in 2011, Singh said in a written reply in parliament.
In the Border Security Force (BSF), the number of suicides in 2011 was 39, compared to 26 in 2009.
In 2011, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police saw three suicides, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) recorded 12, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) recorded 11 while Assam Rifles saw nine suicides.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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