CRPF has 1,000 cases of HIV/AIDS

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CRPF loses more men to accidents than to terror

New Delhi: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has lost more men to

accidents and natural deaths than to insurgents in the northeast, terrorists in

Kashmir or Maoists in central India. In the past 10 years the force lost a

little over 4,800 men. Of these, 3,364 personnel were lost to natural causes and

837 to accidents. Around 604 personnel were lost in action.

Senior officials confess that while a lot of people die because of health

problems and old age, the single biggest problem for the force is mosquitoes in

the northeast and now in Chhattisgarh where they are taking on the Maoists.

" On an average, we lose about 100 men to brain fever every year. Our men get

brain fever and malaria in the jungles of Chhattisgarh but neither the villagers

nor Maoists face similar problems, " said a senior home ministry official.

Senior officers said the problem of brain fever and malaria is so severe in the

northeast that one out of every three personnel has suffered from brain fever.

More than the illness, the disease affects morale of the forces, the officer

said.

Sources in the paramilitary force also said that health of paramilitary

personnel, especially mental health condition, has become a cause for concern

because of the increasing problems. Not to be forgotten, the officers are also

falling prey to HIV and AIDS. Since the men are constantly posted in tough

areas, there have been at least 1,000 cases of HIV/AIDS. Another 700 have

reported cancer and more than 40,000 have developed skin diseases while another

5,000 have psychiatric problems

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