New Delhi, July 13 (IANS) Forty-nine cases of suicide and fratricide have been reported in the armed forces this year, parliament was informed Monday.
Of these, there were 48 cases of suicide and one of fratricide in the three services, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

Of the cases this year, 41 suicides were reported from the Indian Army, six from the Indian Air Force, and one from the Indian Navy.

The lone fratricide occurred in the army, Antony said.

Overall, there have been a staggering 495 cases of suicide and 25 cases of fratricide in the armed forces over the past four year.

Of these, 154 suicides and 13 fratricides occurred in 2006, 142 suicides and seven fratricides occurred in 2007 and 151 suicides and four fratricides occurred in 2008.

Of the total cases, 412 suicides and 24 fratricides were reported from the army, 76 suicides and one fratricide were reported from the air forces and seven suicides were reported from the navy.

Antony said a “proactive approach through better man management techniques” is being adopted at different levels to prevent suicides and fratricides.

“Measures such as identification of high risk category, increased inter personnel relationship and communication between officers and jawans, lectures/workshops on stress management, counselling by professionals, establishment of helpline, redressal of grievances and increased focus on welfare activities are taken to prevent such incidents,” the minister added.