In a case of fratricide, four Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed and three injured when their colleague opened fire on them at the paramilitary force’s camp in Maraiguda Linglapalli in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district early on Monday. The accused constable has been arrested.
“The CRPF has ordered an inquiry into the incident to ascertain the cause of incident and suggest remedial measures. Prima facie, it seems that due to some emotional stress leading to sudden psychological disbalance, Constable Reetesh Ranjan lost control and in a fit of rage opened fire on his colleagues,” said the CRPF.
CRPF Director-General Kuldeep Singh is expected to visit Sukma on Tuesday along with other senior officials to take stock of the situation. According to the paramilitary force, the incident took place at 3.25 a.m. when Constable Ranjan of C-Company 50th Battalion opened fired. The seven injured personnel were immediately rushed to the Government Area Hospital in nearby Bhadrachalam of Telangana for first aid. The accused was overpowered.
The Deputy Inspector-General (range) and the Commanding Officer of the Unit soon reached the spot, followed by senior officers from Raipur, said the CRPF statement.
At the hospital, three victims were declared dead on arrival and the fourth succumbed to injuries during treatment. The deceased were identified as constables Rajmani Kumar Yadav, Rajib Mondal, Dhanji and Dharmendra Kumar.
M. R. Maharana, a 25-year-old constable, is currently recovering at the Government Area Hospital. He had sustained a bullet injury on the right hand and is said to be out of danger.
The two other injured constables, Dhananjay Kumar Singh and Dharmatma Kumar, were airlifted to Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur for specialised treatment.
The Chhattisgarh Police has initiated investigations to determine the sequence of events leading up to the incident.
Earlier, taking note of the deaths, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted: “The incident of death of 4 jawans in the firing incident by a jawan at Maraiguda Linglapalli CRPF camp in Sukma district is very sad and unfortunate. The police officers have been asked to take all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in future.”
