Four CRPF jawans were killed during the early hours of November 8, when their own comrade opened fore on them in a suspected case of fratricide. Three others got wounded in this incident which took place at the CRPF’s 50 battalion camp in Lingalapalli village in neighbouring Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district early on November 8.
According to the sources of police, a CRPF jawan identified as Reetesh Ranjan allegedly fired shots at his colleagues around 3.30 a.m with his service rifle (AK-47) on the premises of the camp. All the seven injured jawans were brought to the Government Area Hospital in Telangana’s Bhadrachalam, where four of them were declared brought dead.
Two of the injured were later airlifted to Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur. One is undergoing treatment at the government hospital in Bhadrachalam and his condition is stated to be stable. Three of the deceased were identified as Rajib Mondal, Dhanji and Rajmani Kumar Yadav, sources added.
The exact motive behind this firing is yet to be unfolded. According to sources, the authorities immediately detained Reetesh after this incident. A detailed investigation is underway.
CRPF: Jawan resposible might have been under emotional stress.
Meanwhile, the CRPF said the jawan might have been suffering from “emotional stress” leading to sudden psychological disbalance.
The local police have begun an investigation into this 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.
A CRPF spokesperson on this incident has stated “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.”
“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 added.
He also said that the CRPF deputy inspector general (DIG), Commandant of the 50th battalion along other senior officials are present at the site. in which the shooting took place. These jawans were of 50Th battalion.
“Easy availability of a firearm to 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
