Bengal cops plan 2 all-women battalions, to recruit 2,006 personnel

Dwaipayan.GhoshKolkata: Bengal Police is setting up two all-women battalions of 1,003 policewomen each, recruitments for which are expected soon. The Matangini Hazra battalion and the Rani Shiromani battalion will work under the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) to bolster safety of women and children across the state.A detailed proposal in this regard was submitted to the state home secretary on June 16. The proposal has already received approval from DGP Siddh Nath Gupta. CM Suvendu Adhikari had proposed the two battalions soon after assuming charge.The proposed recruitment drive will be aimed at filling crucial operational and administrative ranks — two commandants, two deputy commandants, 14 DSPs, 40 inspectors, 90 SIs, 298 ASIs and wireless operators, 128 police drivers and 1,340 constables.These squads of police personnel will be tasked with handling sensitive operations, managing women’s security, controlling riot-like situations, executing anti-trafficking drives and assisting local commissionerates.“The objective is not only to increase the strength of women in uniform but also to create dedicated forces capable of responding effectively to new policing requirements and attending to modern day crime-related challenges,” a police officer said.

The new recruits will be trained in crowd management, operational tactics, investigation support and protection-related duties, the officer added.To minimise establishment expenditure and ensure fiscal feasibility, the Rani Shiromani Battalion will be set up at the SAP 8th Battalion campus in Barrackpore after the original battalion was moved to Suti.The location of Matangini Hazra Battalion will depend on operational mandates and land availability, sources said.