API Anjali Rajput Takes Charge of Naxalite-hit Gadchiroli

Assistant PI, Anjali Rajput, scripted history by becoming the first woman in-charge of a police station in Naxalite -affected Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. She took over the reigns of the violence-stricken Bhamragarh police station a fortnight ago.

Read Also: How Sericulture Is Transforming Tribal Women’s Lives In Bijapur

Anjali Rajput's Journey so far,

• Anjali is a sub-inspector of 2011-12 batch. After being promoted as API she was stationed at Aurangabad city.

"My first project is to ensure that maximum tribal couples get their marriages registered. This would enable them to several government schemes for family welfare, including monetary support. I am also planning to approach other government agencies to make sure that certain facilities are made available to the villagers." - Anjali Rajput

• After taking charge of the police station, she participated in two operations and some long and short-range patrolling in Naxal areas.
• She has also visited two remote hamlets in her jurisdiction and has sent intimations to the residents of other villages to meet her.
• After undergoing  'jungle tactical and survival course' for a fortnight, Anjali moved to Gadchiroli.
• She has also appealed to the Naxalites to drop guns and join the mainstream through surrender policies of the government.
• She is a post-graduate in Hindi from Aurangabad University and second among three siblings. Her father is a garage owner.

Also: Tanushree Pareek becomes India’s first woman combat officer to be commissioned in Border Security Force

Talking about her work, she tells TOI, "My first project is to ensure that maximum tribal couples get their marriages registered. This would enable them to several government schemes for family welfare, including monetary support. I am also planning to approach other government agencies to make sure that certain facilities are made available to the villagers."

Her mother Gangubai supported her in her decision. But her elder sister, an API at Osmanabad, was a bit apprehensive. She, however, managed to persuade her family.

Her senior Aarti Singh also backed her. "It is heartening to see that government and senior officers are now breaking stereotypes to take bold decisions," Singh said.

Anjali has exhibited great tenacity by sacrificing her comfortable city life in Aurangabad.

Read Also: Journalist Malini Subramaniam attacked by anti-naxal group