Personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed in Naxal-affected areas are facing a threat as grave as bullets — mosquitoes. In the past 10 months — January to October — at least 17 CRPF personnel have died due to malaria and dengue in the left-wing ex-tremism (LWE)-affected states. While the total number of CRPF casualties on account of Naxal violence in these areas is higher, according to CRPF director general K Vijay Kumar, “more personnel die due to mosquito bites than bullets”. “LWE areas and certain parts of the North-East are infested with mosquitoes and account for most deaths due to mosquito bites. We have several anti-malarial remedies and regular tests. However, when the CRPF personnel go into the field, they fall prey to mosquito bites,” said CRPF medical officer Dr Dinesh Mehta. Besides, there is a severe shortage of doctors attending to the battalions posted in Naxal areas. “Every post of medical officer in the Naxalite-affected areas is filled up; not even one is vacant. However, we have 100 battalions posted in the mosquito-prone areas and one doctor is deployed per battalion. So one doctor looks after the health of nearly 1,000 troopers. We clearly need more doctors, at least two per battalion,” Mehta said, adding that a proposal for the same is already under consideration. Across the country, however, there are 123 posts for CRPF medical officers vacant. A few months ago, CRPF Director General Kumar had written a letter to all senior officials and doctors emphasising measures to prevent and cure malaria and dengue. “Awareness is most important, every man should be taught to test malaria... themselves,” the letter said.