177 Indian Security Personnel in Chhattisgarh Committed Suicide Since 2019: Deputy CM Unveils Shocking Details

Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma has revealed alarming data regarding the mental health crisis within Indian security forces deployed in disturbed regions such as Chhattisgarh, occupied Kashmir, and Manipur.

According to official figures presented in the state assembly, from 2019 to June 2025, a total of 177 security personnel in Chhattisgarh alone have committed suicide.

The data includes personnel from various forces: 26 from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 5 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 3 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and others from different units. These numbers point to a dangerous trend in the Indian military’s psychological well-being.

In addition to suicides, 18 personnel were found involved in the killing of their fellow security officers during the same period. These shootings, carried out under severe mental stress, highlight a deteriorating mental health situation rather than isolated criminal acts.

The revelations were made in response to a question raised by BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar and underline the deep psychological and institutional crisis faced by Indian security forces. Experts note that since 2005, during anti-Naxalite operations, thousands of innocent tribal people have suffered extrajudicial killings, forced displacement, and sexual violence at the hands of these forces.

Despite the ongoing crisis, there are no mental health centers or counseling systems available for the personnel. Psychological experts point to daily life-threatening patrols, deployment in high-tension areas, mistreatment by officers, and personal issues as factors pushing these individuals towards suicide or violent behavior.

Political analysts question how Indian forces, given their internal instability, can maintain peace in sensitive regions. The current state of these forces is itself a security risk, with the general public and especially tribal communities bearing the consequences.

If 177 suicides have occurred in just one state, the total figure across other disturbed regions such as occupied Kashmir, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, and Mizoram is believed to be much higher.

Annual suicides among Indian security personnel reflect a profound psychological and institutional breakdown within the armed forces. Psychological experts attribute this in part to the guilt associated with involvement in human rights violations.

Defense analysts also highlight the negative impact of this psychological pressure on the morale and combat effectiveness of the Indian army, as evidenced by their performance against Pakistani forces in various engagements.

Read More: Security Forces Eliminate Indian-Sponsored Terrorists in Malakand