Bihar shows the way by raising India’s first tribal women battalion
The State government’s decision has boosted the morale of Bihar’s tribal women and is setting an example of empowering and elevating women in law enforcement.
India’s first tribal all-woman battalion has been raised by the Bihar government and is now in active service. Called the ‘Bihar Police Swabhiman Vahini’, it comprises 675 women constables. All the women belonging to this battalion are from the scheduled tribe (ST) communities of Jamui, Rohtas, Bettiah, and other areas across Bihar.
“The women cops recruited in this battalion displayed marvellous talent during training and exhibited a high degree of professional skill,” ADG (CID) Vinay Kumar told New Indian Express.
The passing out parade of the Swabhiman Vahini battalion was held at Mithilesh Stadium in Patna on February 26, where the confident women displayed their skills and strength. Among the spectators was the event’s chief guest DGP Gupteshwar Panday, accompanied by other senior officers.
Bihar Police Swabhiman Vahini (Image: New Indian Express)
Woman constable Karuna Hansdah, belonging to the Tharu tribe, headed the parade. Senior Bihar Police officers stated that the battalion’s permanent headquarters is to be at Valmiki Nagar in West Champaran. For the time being, however, they are to be stationed at BMP-5.
Deputy Inspector General (North Zone) of Bihar Military Police, Awadesh Kumar Sharma, told The Telegraph that efforts were underway to ensure procurement of land to set up the headquarters of this battalion.
“Letters have been sent to both West Champaran and East Champaran district magistrates to provide the required land,” he said.
As reported by Femina, the Bihar government told the media that raising this battalion is part of the State's efforts to ensure the empowerment of women in all walks of life.
This truly is a positive move that aims to encourage women who aspire to be a part of the police force in India, especially since the findings of The India Justice Report 2019 revealed that women comprise only six percent of women police personnel at the officer level, thereby indicating the exclusion of women in investigative and leadership positions.
"Even if states commit to increasing women's representation at a modest additional 1 percent per annum, it will take most of them and institutions decades to reach even to this aspirational 33 percent," declared the report.
(Edited by Evelyn Ratnakumar)
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