The Indian army deployed in Occupied Kashmir is facing an alarming surge in suicide cases, drawing attention to the psychological toll on soldiers and purported discontent with the policies of the Modi government.
The increasing wave of suicides is linked to soldiers feeling disheartened by what they perceive as unfavorable policies of the Modi administration, and reports suggest that those involved in the occupation of Kashmir and accused of human rights abuses are succumbing to psychological diseases.
According to Kashmir Media Service, since 2007, over 586 Indian soldiers have taken their own lives in the occupied valley. The latest incident involved 38-year-old Naik Harish Chandra Singh, who tragically took his own life in Udhampur district on November 16, highlighting the severity of the mental health crisis among the deployed forces.
The situation has raised concerns both within India and internationally, shedding light on the mental health challenges faced by military personnel stationed in the conflict-ridden region.
International media outlets, including Al Jazeera and Reuters, have pointed to the incompetence and poor policies of the Indian government as contributing factors to the escalating mental stress and depression among security forces.
Reuters reported that more than half of the Indian security forces currently stationed in Occupied Kashmir are under severe stress, increasing the risk of mental health issues. The Modi government’s approach to handling the Kashmir conflict has come under scrutiny, with questions arising about the efficacy of persecuting Kashmiris and the potential repercussions on the psychological well-being of its own soldiers.
As suicide rates continue to climb, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive and empathetic approach to address the mental health challenges faced by the Indian army in Occupied Kashmir.
