Ex-Maoist Women To Unfurl The Tricolour On August 15 In Bastar

Ex-Maoist women who once protested against Independence Day celebrations with a black flag will unfurl the Tricolour on the occasion of Independence Day tomorrow. The 28 women who surrendered and are now women commandos of the Danteshwari Fighters Force will participate in the parade, saluting the national flag in Dantewada district of Bastar division. The parade will be commanded by woman DSP Dineshwari Nand and assistant sub-inspector Anita Meshram.

On The Occasion Of Rakshabandhan

Since Independence Day and Rakshabandhan are being observed on the same day this year, these women commandos will also tie Rakhis to police personnel. The same police personnel they once targeted as hard-core Maoists.

This is the first time that a women platoon would be leading the parade, that they will be the first in the sequence. Normally, men are the ones to lead the parade

Channelising The Energy Of Women With Guns

The Dantewada SP in May this year decided to channelise the energy of these Ex-Maoist women with guns in the right direction. Since these women were trained under Maoists, they were familiar with guns and would be comfortable with the tactics of the police force. This is also an attempt to empower them and encourage gender equality by allowing them to fight guerilla war along with the men in the force. Also, a unified and non-discriminatory force known as Danteshwari Fighters or Danteshwari Ladake was formed which consists of 30 women commandos in the District Reserve Guards Force in Dantewada district of Bastar division.

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Glad They'll Be A Part Of This Grand Celebration

Dantewada Superintendent of Police says that they are glad to see these women participating in the grand celebration of the most important day of our country. “On the unique day of Independence Day as well as Rakhshabandhan, it is surely going to be a memorable day for us to remember, to see 28 women Maoists who are now a part of the Danteshwari Fighters doing march-past and paying respect to the national flag. There was a time when as Maoists they would leave posters and banners in villages appealing them not to hoist the national flag and would rather unfurl black flags. These are the same women who would hoist the tricolour on August 15. We are glad they will be a part of this grand celebration.” Dantewada Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Pallava told Times of India.

“By taking this initiative and giving them this respect, it would motivate other women Naxals to surrender and join the mainstream, as it sends out a message of women empowerment and equality in police forces.”

This Is The First Time That Women Platoon Will Lead The Sequence

The SP also said that this time, women commandos will lead the parade. This is the first time that the women platoon would be leading the parade, that they will be the first in the sequence. Normally, men are the ones to lead the parade. “By taking this initiative and giving them this respect, it would motivate other women Naxals to surrender and join the mainstream, as it sends out a message of women empowerment and equality in police forces.” he added.

The women police personnel are all set to perform on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day and are currently rehearsing for the parade while matching steps with other police personnel.

Picture Credit: Times of India

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