SSB Jawan Dies by Suicide in Chatra District; Family Expresses Shock
In a tragic incident, a jawan of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) posted in Chatra district shot himself dead with his service revolver at a camp under the Simaria police station limits late on Tuesday night. Officials confirmed the news on Wednesday, sparking concerns over the mental well-being of security personnel in the region.
Details of the Deceased and Incident
The deceased has been identified as Prahlad Singh, aged 30, a native of Deoghar district. He was serving with the 35th battalion at the Shila picket in Simaria block. The body was promptly sent to Sadar Hospital in Chatra for a post-mortem examination, and an official inquiry has been initiated to uncover the circumstances leading to this extreme step.
Officer-in-charge of Simaria police station, Surya Pratap Singh, stated, "Further probe is on to ascertain why he took the extreme step." This statement underscores the ongoing investigation aimed at determining the factors behind the suicide.
Family's Account and Background
The deceased's brother, Rohit Singh, revealed that the family received a distressing call from the SSB late at night, asking them to reach Chatra immediately. "We last spoke to Prahlad around 5 pm on Tuesday. He said he was going to play cricket and would attend the evening prayer thereafter. There was nothing unusual," Singh recounted, highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of the tragedy.
Prahlad Singh joined the SSB in 2017 and got married in 2018. He is survived by his wife and a minor daughter. According to family sources, he had returned from leave approximately a month ago, making this incident even more perplexing for his loved ones.
Context of Suicides Among Security Personnel in Chatra
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of suicides involving security personnel in Chatra district. In March 2024, a CRPF jawan shot himself dead in the Vashisht Nagar Jori area. Similarly, in February of the same year, another jawan died by suicide. These repeated cases raise critical questions about the mental health support and working conditions for security forces stationed in the region.
The local administration and police are under pressure to address these issues comprehensively, ensuring better care and preventive measures for personnel facing psychological distress.
