Lok Sabha Question No. 4164 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Fratricide Incident in Amritsar
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan, Balubhau (Alias Suresh Narayan) Dhanorkar, Manish Tewari, Keshari Devi Patel, Kanakmal Katara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4164

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2022/ CHAITRA 8, 1944 (SAKA)

## FRATRICIDE INCIDENT IN AMRITSAR

4164.     SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN:

SHRI BALUBHAU ALIAS SURESH NARAYAN DHANORKAR:

SHRI MANISH TEWARI:

SHRIMATI KESHARI DEVI PATEL:

SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

## Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  recent  incidents  of fratricide  by  personnel  of  paramilitary  forces  including  the  incidents  in Amritsar on 6th March and in Murshidabad on 8th March this year;
- (b) if  so,  the details thereof and the causes of such incidents along with the subsequent action taken thereon;
- (c)  whether  the  families  of  the  jawans  killed  will  be  provided  monetary compensation, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the alleged shooter at Amritsar was reportedly being treated for  depression  and  was  overworked,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons for not taking it into account; and
- (e)  whether  the  BSF  is  suffering  from  a  shortfall  of  troops  amounting  to around  17000  non-officer  rank  soldiers  and  288  officers  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  Two  incidents  of  fratricide  have  taken  place,  one  in Amritsar (Punjab) on 06.03.2022 and the other in Murshidabad (West  Bengal)  on  07.03.2022.  In  Amritsar  incident,  a  Constable  opened indiscriminate  fire  from  his  official  weapon on his colleagues in General

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 4164 FOR 29.03.2022

Diary office and Other Ranks Barrack at Battalion Head Quarter. Five BSF personnel received bullet injuries out of which four  succumbed to death during their treatment in hospital. The accused Constable also succumbed to death during treatment probably due to ricochet of bullet fired from the weapon. In the second incident at Border Outpost (BOP) Kakmarichar of 177 Battalion in Murshidabad, a Head Constable shot dead another Head Constable and subsequently, he shot himself to death.

In  both  cases,  FIRs  have  been  registered  under  Section  302  IPC  & Sections 25/27 of Arms Acts with the Local Police. Such incidents are also investigated through departmental 'Staff Court of Inquiry' to ascertain the exact cause of the incident and other related issues.

The causative factor in most of such incidents are generally personal and domestic problem, family issues, depression and work related issues. To identify relevant risk factors as well as relevant risk groups and suggest remedial measures for prevention of suicides/fratricides in CAPFs, Ministry of Home Affairs have constituted a Task Force under the chairmanship of Special Secretary (Internal Security) which includes representatives from all  CAPFs. The measures undertaken to promote mental health and wellbeing of Jawans in CAPFs are given in Annexure.

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 4164 FOR 29.03.2022

(c): The  next  of  Kin  (NOK)  of  the  deceased  Force  personnel  in  such incidents are eligible for following monetary compensation in addition to applicable pensionary benefits:-

(i) Rs.30 lakh to  NOKs of each of the personnel under Golden Jubilee Seema Prahari Kalyan Kawach Scheme.

(ii) Rs.25 lakh as ex-gratia compensation to all the jawans who lost their lives except those who committed the incident and subsequently committed suicide.

(d): As  per  available  records  and  Annual  Medical  Examination  held  on 19.02.2022,  the  medical  category  of  the  accused  Constable  of  Amritsar incident was SHAPE-I.

(e): As on 01.03.2022, there are 357 vacancies in the Officers grade and 22,558 vacancies in the below Officers grades.Filling up of vacant posts is an  ongoing  process  through  prescribed  mode  of  recruitment  viz.  direct recruitment,  deputation  and  promotion.  All  efforts  are  made  to  fill  up vacant posts expeditiously.

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Measures  are  taken/being  undertaken  to  promote  the  mental  health  and wellbeing of the jawans in the CAPFs/ARs.

- (i) Transparent policies pertaining to transfer and leave of CAPFs and AR personnel. Choice posting is considered to the extent possible after the personnel served in hard area. The hospitalization period due to injuries while on duty is treated as on duty.
- (ii) Regular interaction of officers with troops to find out and redress their grievances.
- (iii) Ensuring adequate rest and relief by regulating the duty hours.
- (iv) Improving living conditions for troops, providing adequate recreational/  entertainment, sports,  communication facilities etc. Crèche facility is also provided at various establishments (where feasible) to facilitate the female employees.
- (v) Facility of retention of government accommodation at the place of last posting (for keeping the family) while posted in NE states, J & K and LWE affected areas (except State Capitals).
- (vi) Providing better medical facilities as well as organizing talks with specialists to address their personal and psychological concerns and  organizing  Meditation  &  Yoga  routinely  for  better  stress management.
- (vii) Adequately compensating the troops deployed in difficult areas.
- (viii) Other  welfare  measures  like  facilities  of  Central  Police  Canteen (CPC), scholarship for wards etc. Air courier service has also been provided to CAPF personnel deployed in NE States, J&K and LWE affected areas as welfare measure.
- (ix) Designating  retired  CAPF  personnel  as  ex-CAPF  personnel  for better identity and community recognition.
- (x) To reduce the stress level of CAPFs/ARs personnel, various steps have been taken by the MHA, CAPF & ARs. As part of the process, the  'Art  of  Living'  courses  are  being  conducted  for  CAPFs/AR personnel which have positive impacts on the Jawans.
- (xi) Promotions are released regularly to eligible personnel as & when the  vacancies  arise.  Financial  benefits  under  Modified  Assured Career  Progression  (MACP)  are  given  at  10,  20  &  30  years  of service  in  case  promotion  does  not  take  place  for  want  of vacancies.
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