NEW DELHI, DEC 2: A company of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), stationed at Avantipur in Jammu, was rushed to Tripura on an August morning following a distress call. By the time it reached there, things were under control and the company was asked to return. The same evening, it was moved to Kupwara near Srinagar.

For the country's para-military forces, this is not an uncommon story. Rather the opposite: it's normal. While shuttling from one trouble spot to another to counter insurgency, the forces not only impose a hectic and inhuman schedule on their men but also violate the rule book.

As per rules, at least one company in each battalion must be under training, sharpening their skills, at any given time. There are six companies in each battalion, with each company comprising 120 persons. ``With the mindless deployment, there is not even a single company free for training,'' says a senior CRPF official.

And as the chiefs of two of the para-military forces leave their organisations this week -- Ashok Kumar Tandon, DG of the Border Security Force (BSF), has retired and Nikhil Kumar, DG of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has been transferred as Special Secretary (Internal Security) in the Ministry of Home Affairs -- they agree that the lack of training is hitting the forces hard.

As a result, the personnel of the para-military forces are losing out on basic training like shooting skills, handling of fire arms, general physical fitness, mental reflexes, field craft, map reading and anti-ambush techniques.

``The operational effectiveness of the men is being destroyed,'' says a senior official in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

The lack of training is in fact affecting the very purpose for which the para-military forces are deployed. ``They have become cannon-fodder for the better-trained and better-equipped militants and insurgents,'' says Tandon, who also held charge of the CRPF.

Tandon points out another aspect of rotating the men and keeping one-sixth of the force free for training. ``With the training, the men also get relief from the monotony and constant tension of working in adverse conditions. They get time for rest, relaxation and recuperation so essential to maintain effectiveness of the force,'' he says.

Nikhil Kumar agrees. ``My troops are deployed in inhospitable areas, some of which are cut off from mainland for as long as five to six months. A proper training period can also ensure rotation and some much-needed rest for the men,'' he says.

But so heavy is the demand for additional forces from the states hit by insurgency that they are not willing to relieve the companies for training, despite regular intervention from the MHA.

``The states refuse to relieve the companies. The para-military forces also have to perform the duties of the local police,'' says the MHA official.

In fact, in most cases, the para-military forces are sent to unfamiliar terrains without any notice.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.