Ajmer: With pride in their eyes and armed
with INSAS rifles, 620 women constables Tuesday became part of the CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force.
The women will form part of the third exclusive 'mahila'
battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and will
render internal security duties ranging from controlling large
demonstrations to assisting state police forces during law and
order disturbances.
The female combatants have been trained in unarmed fight,
weapon handling and various other operational techniques
required for police personnel.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, who was present on
the occasion along with Union Minister and MP from Ajmer
Sachin Pilot, announced Rs two lakh for the new recruits from
the Chief Minister's fund.
The CRPF has numbered the new battalion as 213.
"These women will now be sent to various parts of the
country to begin their duties," Second-in-Command of the unit
Shashi Shahidi said.
"It's a big day for all of us. We are now officially part
of the country's lead force for anti-naxal operations,
counter-insurgency operations and other security related
issues," Annie Anita Toppo, who was adjudged the best cadet,
said.
The maximum number of women in this new contingent hail
from Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The first women's battalion in the force was commissioned
in 1986 and the CRPF celebrated the silver jubilee of the
inclusion of armed women personnel in its ranks earlier this
year in Delhi, with President Pratibha Patil taking the
salute.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, August 02, 2011, 15:28