Introduction
The Chief of the Army Staff announced the induction of women into the Corps of Military Police (CMP) that is a bolt step to specifically counter Left-Wing terrorism. All Women Anti-Naxal Commando unit. While details of the women commandos’ precise role have yet to be disclosed, it is worth-noting that the recently formed Danteshwari ‘Ladake’ took part in a relatively successful operation in Dantewada. They were in the forefront of the firefight and not just mere hangers-on.
Danteshwari Ladake
Danteshwari Ladake is a unit of women commandos of the Chhattisgarh police. The 30-member squad, headed by a deputy superintendent of police, has been given special training in jungle combat. Of them, ten commandos are surrendered naxals, while some others are drawn from the erstwhile ‘Salwa Judum’ movement. Rest of the platoon are locally recruited personnel. This local involvement suggests that people living in the terror-affected areas are having second thoughts about a revolution, with little progress and much more bloodshed.
Deployment of Women Commandos
The deployment of women commandos is not a new idea or decision. It started as early as 1888, when the Indian Military Nursing Service was formed during the British Raj. Participation of women commandos in insurgent operations often creates conditions which male commandos find difficult to deal with. deployment of women commandos has received all required clearances. The commandos will be inducted into the CMP to specifically combat the extremist threats. Women commandos will definitely alter a strategic imbalance. Under the project, women will be recruited, imparted basic military training, and taught the nuances of operating in the Kashmir Valley, where women, and even school girls are in the forefront of stone throwing against the security forces.
Women Commandos in CRPF
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is the country’s largest paramilitary force, which is to deploy over 560 women commandos for countering naxal extremism in select Left-Wing Extremism (LWF)-affected states, particularly West Bengal and Jharkhand. The plan is, no doubt, very ambitious because the threats are related to internal security. A batch of 567 women, passing out from the forces’ training centre in Ajmer, Rajasthan, has already moved.
Initially two small teams were sent for familiarisation purposes. Once deployed, they will be carrying arms and undertaking patrols like their male counterparts. Women commandos can easily interact with the local womenfolk and would prove to be helpful in gathering good intelligence. Also, they will bring the force closer of the locals.
As per the CRPF director, the full batch would be deployed in phases in the ‘Company formation’ style, i.e., 100 personnel at one time. With due passage of time, their deployment and work utility will be sealed up. He also added that living infrastructure and barracks have been created for them at certain locations and facilities would be enhanced, later on. These commandos have been trained for 44 weeks in jungle warfare, unarmed combat, smart weapons firing, and other drills, commissioned in the 232 battalion of the force. This is the fourth ‘mahila’ battalion of CRPF. A battalion consists of 1,000 personnel.
Similarly, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) had also announced that it would post women personnel in full combat role in its units along the Sino-Indian border.
Historical Background
The Indian Armed Forces—Air Force and Navy—allow women in junior and officer ranks. However, the Indian Army allows women for support roles only; and Special Forces of India, for trainer role only. During World War I (1914–18) and World War II (1939–45), British Indian Army nurses fought bravely in which India lost some 350 Army nurses. Until 2017, females were not allowed to serve in combat units like the infantry, the Armoured Corps, and Mechanised Infantry. Induction of women officers in non-medical roles began in 1992. The United Nations first all-female peacekeeping force, consisting of 105 Indian policewomen, was deployed to Liberia in 2007.
Similarly, there are various examples of women who joined the Indian Army, like Priya Jhingan (joined Indian Army as an officer in 1993), Alka Khurana (the first to participate in Republic Day Parade and Army Day Parade in 1994), Sapper Shanti Tigga (the first female jawan in private rank in 2011), Priya Semwal (an officer in the Indian Army Corps in the EME after her husband’s martyrdom in 2012), and Nithali Madhumitra (the first woman officer to receive a gallantry award, Sena Medal, in 2011), etc.
Besides, in various other wings and branches of the Indian Armed Forces, women have participated and done good jobs.
Conclusion
To conclude, the deployment of women commandos will hopefully bear fruit. Government’s decision will not only contain terrorism but also boost the morale of the Indian Army as women commandos are at par with their male counterparts. Expectedly, they would prove their might and the decision would be regarded as a unique step towards women empowerment. The menace of Naxalism can easily be defeated, provided the battle against all forms and manifestations of terrorism is fought body and soul.