Around 59 newly employed commandos of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) shocked the brass of India’s largest paramilitary force when they abandoned their journey to the headquarters in Bihar and went home without giving any notice or information to anyone.
The mass bunking by personnel forced the CRPF to order a probe into the matter after they didn’t report for duty in Bihar. These personnel were returning from Srinagar after a 5-day training session and were supposed to be posted in Naxalism-affected areas.
The incident took place on Sunday at Mughalsarai railway station. Officials said the jawans did not notify their contingent commander, who was also on board the train, and made their escape in the night.
As per a report in TOI, CRPF director general K Durga Prasad said that he had ordered a court of inquiry into the event. Prasad also informed that these commandos had come early from J&K as they had to reach Bihar on February 7. However, “they cannot be termed deserters even though they should have informed the seniors,” he added.
On the other hand, the force said, “These personnel were returning to their unit after completion of their training at Recruitment Training Centre, Srinagar, and had their return reservations from Jammu to Gaya on February 5 in Sealdah Express. Due to inclement weather and road blockade, these personnel were sent to Jammu on February 1 and decided to board an early train on February 2. Since they were early as per their scheduled programme, they decided on their own to avail Saturday and Sunday to visit their homes without prior permission from competent authority. These personnel have committed misconduct for which they will be dealt with departmentally.”
Senior officials of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) and CRPF said the jawans were slated to report in Gaya for their onward deployment for special anti-Naxal tasks. “A full Inquiry has been ordered by the force headquarters in Delhi. The trainers and the havildar who was accompanying these commandos have got in touch with some of those who vanished from the train without informing seniors. Some have promised to report by tomorrow,” said a senior official.
