JK: Help-line and Yoga for security personnels

Srinagar, Dec 16: A 24-hour helpline and Yoga classes, besides'' a relaxed atmosphere'' are some of the measures taken by the defence authorities to help the security forces to tackle the the ''work stress'' and family problems, XV corps goc Lt General A S Sekhon said.

Talking to reporters here today, Lt General Sekhon said various reasons are behind the extreme steps being taken by the security forces.

''However, such incidents, including suicides and killing colleagues have come down this year as compared to previous years,'' he asserted.

In reply to a question he said a detailed survey, conducted by the authorities to find out why some security forces are taking such an extreme step, concluded that besides work stress, family disputes are among the problems forcing a jawan take such a step.

''Though these incidents are not alarming but we are concerned,'' Lt Gen Sekhon said adding a number of steps have been taken to avoid such an incidents in future.

He said separation of families was one of the main reason for taking such an step. Earlier, the family members, including children, of a jawan were being looked by grand parents or other relatives and the jawan was doing the duty without any tension.

''Now he has to look after his family including their education and at the same time face the militants,'' he pointed out.

Lt General Sekhon said a 24-hour helpline has been set up to provide counselling to the security personnel.

''It has received encouraging response and jawans are getting benefited, ''he said.

He said yoga classes has been introduced for the security pesonnel to help them to overcome the work and family stress.

The security forces are now being provided relaxed atmosphere, including television and other facilities at their place of stay to help them to come out from stress.

On the relation between an officer and jawan, he said it is very cordial.

''The officer in the Indian army leads from the front, ''he said, adding therefore the causalities being suffered by the officers were the highest in the world. ''The relation is very healthy,'' Lt Gen Sekhon said.

UNI

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