The all-women battalion consists of about 567 members of 232 Mahila Battalion of Central Reserve Police Force. They had enrolled for a special training programme from May 11 May last year that comprised of a 44-week course, which included shooting, combat, karate, ambushing, map reading, and acquiring knowledge of survival in jungles which would be integral to their mission. The aim of the training programme was to prepare these women to fight with the Maoist in the afflicted areas of our country. The course was conducted in Ajmer.

Passed out in flying colors

All the women passed out with flying colours and took part in the passing out parade organized in the CRPF group center-II at Foi Sagar Road, Ajmer. They were beaming with confidence as they demonstrated their skills in handling heavy weapons of combat after the parade. Thus, they also broke down the stereotype that women are delicate and not fit to deal with dangerous weapons or situations like terrorism. In the process, they achieved what the training regime had set out to attain – becoming capable of facing the toughest situations in our country’s war against naxalism. The officers who supervised thetraining as well as parade hoped that the women would keep their heads held high and display a similar confidence during actual combat on the ground. If the experiment with the first batch proves to be successful, more such all-women battalions will be trained in the future.

The Logical Indian congratulates the women of the battalion on the successful completion of their rigorous training regime. We hope that they will prove their mettle on the ground, thus encouraging the CRPF to engage more women in combat operations.