The Hindu : Front Page : Distress deaths in Army continue: Defence Ministry

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 08, 2007
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Distress deaths in Army continue: Defence Ministry

Sandeep Dikshit

Premature retirement high among Army men

NEW DELHI: Distress deaths in the armed forces have continued into the New Year with 20 suicides being reported in the first two months, according to figures placed by the Defence Ministry in Parliament.

While 15 Army personnel committed suicide till February 28, one naval and four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel also killed themselves. Last year was particularly bad for the armed forces with a record 146 suicides. Of them, 120 were from the Army, two from the Navy and the Coast Guard and 24 from the IAF.

The number of Army officers who have taken premature retirement is also on the rise but the number of IAF officers leaving the armed forces is on the decline. Last year, 811 Army officers wanted to quit the services but only 464 were permitted to do so. The figures for the previous two years were 365 and 290 respectively. In contrast, 244 officers took premature retirement in 2004 but the numbers fell to 175 in 2005 and 87 last year.

The Government said the main reasons for seeking premature retirement were non-empanelment for promotion, being placed in a permanent low medical category and compassionate reasons — to look after ailing parents or children, resolve marital discord, attend to litigation and take care of ancestral property.

No combat role for women

The Ministry has decided against inducting women officers in all walks of Army life, including combat. A study on all aspects relating to women officers has among other recommendations suggested the exclusion of women officers for the present in close combat roles where "chances of physical contact with the enemy are high."

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page