By IANS,
New Delhi : The Indian armed forces have recorded a downslide in the number of fratricides since 2007, with 17 being killed by their fellow soldiers, parliament was informed Wednesday.
With eight cases reported in 2007 alone, only nine had been recorded in the four years since then, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
He said the Indian armed forces recorded only four such cases in 2008, one in 2009, two in 2010 and only two till Nov 15.
Antony said the possible causative factors for soldiers committing fragging/fratricide were stress and depression, domestic and personal problems, financial troubles and marital discord.
“The government has taken several steps to prevent such incidents, which include counselling, improvement in the quality of food and clothing, married accommodation, leave concessions, facilities for movement of troops from border areas, and establishing a grievances redressal mechanism in the states,” Antony added.