NEW DELHI: In what clearly reflects badly on the top CRPF leadership, led by outgoing Director General K Durga Prasad, over five dozen trained commandos of the elite anti-Naxal Force Combat Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) have deserted the paramilitary en masse earlier this month. This is the first mass desertion of highly trained commandos from the world’s biggest paramilitary that is designated the lead counter-insurgency and anti-terrorist Force.

To be precise, 59 CoBRA commandos deserted the force while they were en route to Gaya (Bihar) for deployment with 205 CoBRA Battalion on February 2. The CRPF on Sunday (February 5) concluded that they have deserted and the message has been circulated to all the formations of the paramilitary in the country.

“Following 59 Constables of Counter Guerilla team of this battalion who were coming back from RTC (Recruit Training Centre), Srinagar after completion of their basic training under command No. 095000498 HC/GD Vijay Singh became deserter from the train,” reads the communication circulated to all the CRPF formations through the internal communication network of CRPF dated February 5.

“According to HC/GD (Head Constable/General Duty or Operational Duty) Vijay Singh, he along with these Constables were boarded Train No. 13152 Jammu Siyaldah Express from Jammu Railway Station for Gaya Junction on 02/02/2017 at about 1855 hrs. On the way of Gaya, these Constables deserted from the train without the permission of competent authority,” the internal communication further said.

Sources said the deserters badly hit head constable Vijay Singh, who was escorting them to Gaya before fleeing. The deserters also left behind their trunks. According to inputs with the CRPF, the commandos fled from Mughalsarai (Uttar Pradesh) Railway Station.

While the Basic Training Course entails nine months of training at the RTC, these commandos were trained for six months as they had earlier served in the field.

An official from RTC, Srinagar confirmed the development but sought to downplay the incident saying it was more of an emotional issue as they wished to visit their native place since they were stranded in Srinagar for about a week due snowfall after their training was complete. The official also hoped that they will return in the next few days even as the deserters remain untraceable.

“It is all happening due to lack of regimentation in the CRPF. Media never talks about the command problems being faced by officers and their welfare…Media is concerned with the shortage of officers in Army only as they are ignorant about Central paramilitary forces,” another official said on condition of anonymity.

CRPF DG K Durga Prasad did not respond to messages from the Express.

Later during the day, the CRPF issued a statement confirming the development saying, “These personnel have committed a misconduct for which they will be dealt departmentally.” “Some of the media are carrying a news item about missing/desertion of 59 CRPF personnel of 205 CoBRA enroute on move from Jammu to their Unit in Gaya (Bihar). These personnel were returning to their Unit after completion of their 6 months training at Recruitment Training Centre, Srinagar and had their return reservations from Jammu to Gaya on 5  February, 2017 in Shealdah Express. Due to inclement weather and road blockade these personnel were sent to Jammu on 1 Feb, 2017 and decided to board an early train on 2nd February. Since they were early as per their scheduled  programme, they decided on their own to avail Saturday and Sunday to visit their home without prior permission from competent authority.”

Documents with the Express clearly suggest these personnel have been branded deserters. Through the circular, the Force has asked all formations to send them to 205 CoBRA Battalion/Bihar Sector if they are found at their location with a proper escort.

Officials also said a Court of Inquiry has been instituted against the deserters.

Officials conceded the desertion is a clear indication of growing indiscipline in the ranks and has been the first such mass desertion reported by the Force in decades-long existence.

They said most of the deserters are from Bihar decided to flee together. The present recruitment policy is also to be blamed for such mass desertions as all the recruits are recruited from one State as is the case of the CoBRA commandos who have deserted the ranks. Earlier, only 50 percent of the recruits were selected from one State where the recruitment camp was held and the rest were taken from other States.