Dornapal (Chhattisgarh): For six years, the government has cried hoarse about Maoists being the single biggest security threat to India. Yet, the Indian state is sending its footsoldiers into battle on an empty stomach, without adequate drinking water and medical facilities.
Ironically, even as the CRPF celebrates ‘Valour Day’ on Friday, its men who are battling Maoists say the Red combatants are just one of the multiple threats they face.
Jawans of the 62nd Battalion of CRPF holed up in the Chintalnar camp — near the site of Tuesday’s ambush that
left 76 men dead — say they can defend themselves against another Maoist attack but are defenceless against malaria and poisonous reptiles. Conditions aren’t any better at the other camps, jawans said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Several jawans claimed patrolling parties often go without enough food. “We are also fighting in the anti-insurgency mode. Army soldiers get dry fruits and other eatables in sufficient quantity during operations. We have to fight on empty stomachs and parched throats. Our jawans need food that matches the task at hand,’’ said a CRPF jawan.
“Malaria is one of the biggest challenges here. People frequently fall sick. Some of us have to proceed on sick leave. What has made matters worse is the nonavailability of medical facilities,’’ said a CRPF jawan. “It’s like asking us to go into battle with one hand tied.”
Maoist combatants, it seems, are uniformly hamstrung by a lack of basic provisions and death lurking everywhere. If the EFR constabulary went to town with their cup of woes after Maoists attacked their Silda camp, the condition of jawans of the 62nd battalion of CRPF holed up in the Chintalnar camp is no better.
“Forget qualified doctors, there are not even decent medicine shops. The local doctors would prescribe the same regular medicines for disease. The nearest hospitals are some distance away. This is not only our plight but of everyone posted or deployed in remote jungle camps,” he said.
Apart from lack of medical assistance, jawans also complained of poisonous insects and snakes. ‘‘At night, you are not sure of what may bite or sting you. Forget patrolling, one is not safe even in camps,’’ said a CRPF constable. ‘‘If a snake or something as poisonous bites a victim, there may not be a chance to save him,’’ he added.
Scarcity of water is another issue plaguing the personnel and while there may be a few pumps, these are often rendered useless in the absence of electricity. ‘‘Water is a big problem here. We have no clue how to manage in this place where we have to work under constant threat and high daytime temperatures,’’ said a jawan.
Posted on: 09/04/2010
Ironically, even as the CRPF celebrates ‘Valour Day’ on Friday, its men who are battling Maoists say the Red combatants are just one of the multiple threats they face.
Jawans of the 62nd Battalion of CRPF holed up in the Chintalnar camp — near the site of Tuesday’s ambush that
left 76 men dead — say they can defend themselves against another Maoist attack but are defenceless against malaria and poisonous reptiles. Conditions aren’t any better at the other camps, jawans said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Several jawans claimed patrolling parties often go without enough food. “We are also fighting in the anti-insurgency mode. Army soldiers get dry fruits and other eatables in sufficient quantity during operations. We have to fight on empty stomachs and parched throats. Our jawans need food that matches the task at hand,’’ said a CRPF jawan.
“Malaria is one of the biggest challenges here. People frequently fall sick. Some of us have to proceed on sick leave. What has made matters worse is the nonavailability of medical facilities,’’ said a CRPF jawan. “It’s like asking us to go into battle with one hand tied.”
Maoist combatants, it seems, are uniformly hamstrung by a lack of basic provisions and death lurking everywhere. If the EFR constabulary went to town with their cup of woes after Maoists attacked their Silda camp, the condition of jawans of the 62nd battalion of CRPF holed up in the Chintalnar camp is no better.
“Forget qualified doctors, there are not even decent medicine shops. The local doctors would prescribe the same regular medicines for disease. The nearest hospitals are some distance away. This is not only our plight but of everyone posted or deployed in remote jungle camps,” he said.
Apart from lack of medical assistance, jawans also complained of poisonous insects and snakes. ‘‘At night, you are not sure of what may bite or sting you. Forget patrolling, one is not safe even in camps,’’ said a CRPF constable. ‘‘If a snake or something as poisonous bites a victim, there may not be a chance to save him,’’ he added.
Scarcity of water is another issue plaguing the personnel and while there may be a few pumps, these are often rendered useless in the absence of electricity. ‘‘Water is a big problem here. We have no clue how to manage in this place where we have to work under constant threat and high daytime temperatures,’’ said a jawan.
Posted on: 09/04/2010
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