CRPF says jawan who shot at 7 colleagues lost psychological balance; orders probe

The CRPF on Monday said the jawan, who killed four of his colleagues and injured three others in an alleged fratricidal incident in Chhattisgarh, may have been suffering from “emotional stress” leading to sudden psychological disbalance. The accused , constable Reetesh Ranjan, was “overpowered” by fellow troopers at Lingalapalli camp in Sukma district of south Bastar region soon after the shootout. As per preliminary information, Ranjan fired at his colleagues with his service weapon, an AK-47 rifle. Those killed were identified as constables Rajmani Kumar Yadav, Rajib Mondal, Dhanji and Dharmendra Kumar, he said, adding that three other injured personnel were being treated at the hospital. The motive behind the firing is yet to be ascertained and an investigation is on into the incident, the official said. “The local police has begun an investigation into the case and all legal actions will follow. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has ordered an inquiry into the incident to ascertain the cause of the incident and suggest remedial measures. “Prima facie, it seems that due to some emotional stress leading to sudden psychological disbalance, constable Reetesh Ranjan lost his control and in a fit of rage opened fire on his colleagues,” a CRPF spokesperson said. He said the CRPF deputy inspector general (DIG), Commandant of the 50th battalion in which the shooting took place and other senior officers, are present at the incident site. “All the injured are being provided requisite medical care and evacuation of the injured in need of better medical care has been tied up,” he said. The incident is reported to have taken place around 3:25 AM in the ‘C’ company of the 50th CRPF battalion. Another officer said the accused jawan was to begin his sentry post duty from 4 am, but soon after getting ready he sprayed bullets on his colleagues who were sleeping. This preliminary information was collected from other jawans present in the camp. More information about the incident and the exact chain of events over the last few days is being ascertained under the Court of Inquiry (CoI) initiated by the CRPF, he said. The paramilitary force, which has deployed over 25 battalions in the state for anti-Naxal operations, has recently issued a communication to all its formations to identify personnel who are either under depression or are stressed, and undertake appropriate counselling for them to curb suicide and fratricide incidents. “Easy availability of a firearm to a personnel who either ends his life or attacks his colleagues is a big challenge for security forces. Different solutions are being looked to check this issue, but a perfect one is still to be found,” a senior CRPF officer said.