India's largest paramilitary force, the CRPF has asked for more funds from the Centre for building special facilities for its injured personnel. Hundreds of its personnel have suffered serious injuries while performing their duty in anti-terror operations all over the country.
The CRPF's decision to create special facilities for injured personnel came after three of its officers cycled over 500 KM to the world's highest road in Ladakh, despite having extensive injury related disabilities.
RK Singh, Sushil Kumar and Birbhadra Singh were part of a special para-cycling team that conquered the arduous terrain and extreme weather of Khardung La on August 15. Their feat was recognized by the government which issued special commendation medals to each officer.
Mr Kumar, one of the three officers, was injured in a landmine explosion during an anti-Naxal operation in 2014. He thought his life was over.
"I could see my limbs hanging on a tree nearby (after the landmine explosion), I thought my life was over. But what I have achieved with my artificial limb is not something I could have imagined ever before," he said.
The CRPF now plans to create an institutional mechanism to help injured personnel recover and learn new skills. It has also requested the government to increase the present limit of Rs. 72,000 granted to injured personnel for buying artificial limbs.
"CRPF is the lead force for anti-Naxal operations and other internal security duties in the country. The idea is that injuries should not affect morale of our troops. With the latest success of the cycling expedition, we are clear that the sky is the limit," a senior officer said.
The three officers who conquered Khardung La, have now sought permission to plan an expedition to Mount Everest, next year.
