It's a first. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is all set to make another history and termed to position as many as over 560 women commandos of the 232 Mahila Battalion on the frontlines. They are being trained for undertaking anti-Maoist operations in select Left Wing Extremism-affected states. The deployment is expected to begin by early July.
The batch of 567 women had participated in a passing out parade ceremony held at CRPF group Centre 2 in Ajmer on Friday.
K Durga Prasad, CRPF DG, said to TOI “The batch will now be deployed in phases in LWE areas in the 'company formation' style, which means about 100 personnel at one time. These women have been trained keeping in mind the LWE tasks rendered by us. We thought to give them the toughest assignment in the initial years of their service itself."
The ambitious plan to deploy such a large number of women in the most challenging combat could hugely break the glass ceiling for women in the country who aspire to be in the force. According to CRPF, if Maoists can have women in their ranks, then so can have the security forces.
Picture by Hindustan Times